How to Certify Service Dogs
A service dog is one that is qualified to assist a disabled person. Dogs need to be certified before they are eligible to assist a disabled person in public. Certification enables the dog to go into stores, banks, schools and anywhere else where the dog's services are needed. It is helpful for the disabled person to carry an id card in case the place of business wants proof that the dog is a service dog. It is relatively easy to get the dog certified once he is well trained.
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Instructions
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Train the dog. Have the dog trained by a professional or by a company such as nonprofit organizations Assistance Dogs International and Circle Tail. They will train and evaluate your dog to see if he is able to be a service dog. If you choose to train your own dog you will need to know what to train the dog to do to qualify. Training the dog to listen to specific commands such as sitting, coming and staying is an important part of the qualification.
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Register your dog to be certified as a service dog. This can be done through a service dog registration company such as Register Service Dogs (listed in Resources). Print out the form from the website, or write up a letter including the dog's name and breed and your full name and address.
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Have your doctor write a letter stating the need you have for a service dog. Have your doctor explain your disability and state why a service dog would be beneficial.
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Go to the veterinarian and have him/her write a letter explaining that the dog is qualified to be a service dog. You may need to have the veterinarian contact the trainer to verify the training of the dog. If you trained the dog yourself, the veterinarian or a trainer may test the dog to see if she is qualified. You will also need proof of current vaccinations for the dog.
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Send in the letters, the proof of vaccinations and the form to a company such as Registered Service Dogs (located in Washington and also listed in the Resources). Include the fee as well. It will take about 10 days to receive the certification; you will also receive a dog vest and an id card.
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Tips & Warnings
Cost for the certification is reasonable, but having it rushed will cost more, as will ordering extra id cards or a patch for the dog vest. The patch is not required, but helps show other people that the dog is there to help you. The patch says "registered service dog" on it and is not included in the certification package, as it is optional.
Dogs must be spayed or neutered before they can be trained to be service dogs.
References
Resources
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Comments
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Am I am reading this right? That a service dog (IE) a dog that is owned by a disabled person does not need any kind of documentation other than her security disability card? My wife is disabled and her dog helps her out all the time and I was wondering if I can take the dog with her to say Walmart and Target, restaurants, places like this?
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mizlyne
Jun 27, 2010
1. SD do not get certified. 2. SD do not have to be altered. 3. Letters are not required (may help in a court case if it comes to that). 4. SD do not have to be trained by a trainer (they can be owner trained). 5. This was obviously written by an advertiser selling fake certification and ID cards. -
kirsta
Jun 27, 2010
The many errors you have made on this article is great. You dont need your dog to be certified to do ANYTHING!! You also dont need an ID card. You dont need your dog trained by a certified program either you can train one yourself. You also dont need anything from your vet. Geez I could go on and on! I have flagged this and I hope it gets taken off because this is just ridiculous! The person who wrote this obviously has NO IDEA about service dogs or about how to get one!
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chasc
Apr 18, 2010
Certification is a scam in my opinion since under the ADA it is not required and the DOJ has confirmed this in their statement as it is prohibitive to the dissabled and not in line with the design of the act.
