
The “pumpkin seeds” on the black dog’s eyes allow facial expressions to be read more easily.
Source: Nancy Darling
Dogs are versatile and can range from the tiniest Pekingese to the leggy Afghan or the giant Newfoundland. Dogs have been bred to hunt mice, run deer, tend sheep, rescue sailors, and sit quietly on the laps of nobles. She raises cows and plays with children.
Dogs are independently trainable and we are uniquely able to read their facial expressions. Dogs have evolved to “talk” to us. His one of the differences between dogs and wolves is the facial muscles that allow dogs to convey emotions to humans. We have co-evolved to work together.
What is the difference between a service dog, a therapy dog and an emotional support dog?
Many pet dogs (also called “companion animals”) provide comfort and support to their owners, but they are given special status, allowing them to accompany their owners in areas where dogs are not normally allowed. Only some dogs.
Service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support dogs serve different roles and have different legal statuses in the United States. Faking a dog’s status to obtain services or access is actually illegal. It’s not enough to just buy a vest with the label you want.
service dog
Service dogs are individually trained Perform specific tasks to assist individuals with disabilities. These disabilities are defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the work performed by a service dog must be specific to that disability. Common service dogs include guide dogs, seizure dogs that alert the owner that a seizure is coming, or dogs that help the owner deal with her PTSD or anxiety attacks. Service dogs are permitted to accompany their owners in public places such as restaurants, hotels, and stores and are protected under federal law.
- Assistance dogs are individually trained to perform specific services for specific people with documented disabilities. They perform tasks such as fetching medication, guiding the owner through traffic, notifying the owner of an impending seizure or hypoglycemia, or moving the owner to safety if he or she is unable to do so. Execute
therapy dog
therapy dogs are trained Provide comfort and support to different people in different settings. Therapy dogs are selected for their friendly, calm and flexible disposition and ability to work well with a wide variety of people.
Therapy dogs can work anywhere, but they often visit hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries, and mental health facilities. They are used to work with children and adults in stressful situations such as courtrooms and foster care. There may be Work closely with the handler and act as part of the team. There are a number of national organizations that provide training, certification, and insurance for therapy dog owner teams.
Therapy dogs are not protected under federal law. Allowed only in dog-only settings such as schools, libraries, and hospitals, and only at the invitation of the host organization.
- Therapy dogs are trained to be friendly and supportive. Often he works only once per person. They are selected for their friendly and adaptable disposition. Therapy dogs and their handlers are certified as a team. They are not protected by federal law and must be invited to environments that normally do not allow dogs.
emotional support dog
emotional support dog provide emotional support to certain individuals with mental or emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Emotional support dogs are not trained to perform specific tasks, but are considered essential to their owner’s health. Emotional support dogs may be permitted to live with their owners in housing that does not allow pets, but they are not protected under federal law and have the same public access rights as service dogs. No. They do not need to be specially trained, but if used to gain access to dwellings that do not normally accommodate dogs, they must document the needs of the owner’s dog and behave appropriately. is needed.
- Emotional Support Dogs are not specially trained, but they provide essential emotional support to their owners. Emotional support dogs may need to be accommodated in residences that do not normally allow pets. Some provinces and states allow more accommodations for emotional support dogs.
overview:
Any breed can serve as a service dog, therapy dog, or emotional support dog. What sets them apart is their training and capabilities. Working dogs do not need to be identified with special vests or harnesses. Similarly, Just because a dog is wearing a vest doesn’t mean it’s what it really is.
As you can see in the chart below:
- Only service dogs are eligible for ADA accommodations and are permitted in public spaces.
- Service dogs and emotional support dogs are meant for one person (the owner) and should not be distracted while others are working.
- Therapy dogs work with their handlers to provide emotional support to a wide variety of people.

Nancy Darling