I’m often asked how you register or certify your service dog, the answer is “You Don’t”. Companies that claim to register or certify your animal without training are simply taking advantage of the handicapped to make a dollar. In 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) went into effect which gives handicapped persons with service animals legal protection to be accompanied by the animal in public places.
Understanding the ADA
So lets first define what a service animal is, According to the ADA, an animal is considered a service animal” if it has been “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.” As you see, the word certify or registered doesn’t appear in the law. As a matter fact the US government does not register, certify, license or approve any service animal.
The ADA Catch 22
Because the definition of a disability is so broad it would be impossible for the government to create any sort of testing criteria other then the vague definition above. Also, since many disabled people live on fixed incomes requiring professional animal training would be an added financial burden that many disabled people could not afford. Unlike a person with a handicap license plate or ID, there is no official identification and service dogs without some form of ID are often assumed to be pets. The ADA also states that a handicapped person is not required to show proof of their disability. So that’s what the law says, but the reality is that having your service animal identified with an service dog ID, vest, cape or bandanna helps identify the dog as a working partner and not a pet.
The Registration Scam
It wasn’t long after the ADA went into effect that companies started popping up offering to register or certify your animal. Now please understand that we are not talking about trainers that teach dogs to perform tasks for the disabled. What we are talking about are companies that use official sounding names that in exchange for your money will certify or register your service dog. In exchange they often provide you with a registration number, certificate, patch and maybe a cheap laminated tag. Some shameless companies charge as much as $250 for “registration”.
So What’s a Service Dog Owner to do?
First, make sure you meet the definition of a disabled person and that your dog is specially trained to perform tasks related to your disability. Trying to pass off your pet as a service animal is a federal offense and comes with severe penalties. Outside of the two requirements spelled out in the ADA you don’t have to do anything. If you feel identifying your service dog will make your life easier then purchase a quality photo service dog tag, vest with patches or a cape.
Spot is the owner of http://www.ServiceDogTags.com and is a prolific writer on matters concerning service dogs and the disabled. Spot lets his owner help him put the web site together and write articles as it’s hard as heck to type with paws. Besides it’s good to throw his owner a bone every once in a while so he feels useful. You can learn more about service dogs on our site http://www.ServiceDogTags.com Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/disabilities-articles/how-to-certify-a-service-dog-or-how-to-scam-the-disabled-1189756.html
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In our area of Oregon, merchants are ignorant when it comes to service dogs. They will hassle you every chance they get and look for one reason or another to not allow your dog in their store. But for some reason they seem to keep their mouths shut if you have some sort of paperwork. Yes, I know what they are doing is illegal. I know that they, by law cannot deny me to come in, nor can they ask me what my disability is. However, after fighting with and calling ADA on these people numerous times, I decided to just pay one of the “scammers” the $50 to register my service dog. After that. There have been no more problems with the merchants. All I do is show them his card from the registry. Best thing I ever did.
can I register my dog as a service dog for my daughter that has cp.This is a poodle that we have had since abby came home,She will alert me when abby is awke,sick.She keeps abby settled.when abby goes to school she will lay in the window till abby comes home.I want to be able to take her with us on vacations.She will also aleret me if abby gets choked.Please help
Rita,
I am really not sure. I believe someone with your county or state offices could tell you. Or, the writer of this post may have the ability to help you. This was a guest post. You should contact the writer.