ESA vs Service Dog vs Therapy Dog

[@emerycorner]

My school district had a therapy dog that a deputy brings in everyday! His name is Parker and he's adorable. He takes his cuddling and petting times very seriously.

[@sky5793]

My dog is a Therapy Dog all time 'round, we take her to local hospitals, libraries, and schools. But she is also an Emotional Support dog for my sister. She suffers Anxiety and Depression, so only during sertain times are people not suppost to pet her.

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Athena Skystar you are the first person to comment saying they have a therapy dog that actually has a therapy dog. Most people don't know what a therapy dog is.

[@djandr2830]

A lot of people don't know this but there is such things as ESA Cats. A few years ago a kid with an mental problem (I don't remember what it was a long time ago) took a liking to my cat. We were moving and sadly had to get rid of him, and the boy's parents asked if they could take him for emotional support for there son. We didn't keep In contact sadly. Hope he's doing well! 🐈🐱

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Djandria did you even watch this? An esa cat is not unusual at all. The a stands for animal, any animal can be an esa.

[@yeaaaboi6946]

Bruh...before this video played I got an ad for a fake website to "register" your dog as a service dog and get a certificate, which is ironic .

[@lucywyke-smith7295]

Hi! i made a comment on here a long time ago about how i had an ESA dog that i took out in public with me. i got a lot of back lash and rightfully so. i didnt fully understand the laws but watching your video and others' videos really helped me! i am now owner training my actual real service dog so he can alert me for my POTS, asthma, CFS, and panic disorder!!!

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Lucy Wyke-Smith that's awesome to hear! Good job!

[@lucywyke-smith7295]

Happy Tails thank you so much! i apologise for taking advantage of my rights. it was very inappropriate for me to do. i am glad i know (and follow) the laws now!!! 💓

[@countrygirl2198]

Q: What kind of dog helps a person when they experience social anxiety while flying? A: Emotional support dog Q: What kind of dog is needed at school to help children experiencing anxiety? A: Therapy dog Q: What kind of dog is needed to pull a wheelchair? A: Service dog Q: What kind of dog offers companionship in day-to-day activities for one person? A: Emotional support dog Q: What kind of dog is needed to protect someone who is having a seizure? A: Service dog Q: What kind of dog is needed to remind a person with mental illness to take their prescription? A: Service dog Q: What dog helps a person with autism? A: Service dog Q: What kind of dog works with numerous people? A: Therapy dog Q: What kind of dog calms a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? A: Service dog

[@aperson9901]

Why doesn't this have more likes!?!??

[@debbiedonlon928]

@Cheeto gurl Shrek You might call a service animal trainer in your area

[@sd.lulu.multipurpose5306]

@-Breeze- being diagnosed with these doesn’t equal disability. You have to be disabled to qualify for a service dog.

[@Alice_was-here_1999]

Back in high school I had a teacher who was considering getting a therapy dog because we were in 1 of the 3 classes for students with psychiatric and developmental disabilities The 3 classes are: LRC, EGC and Life Skills. LRC is sometimes used as a study hall in some schools but it was for disabilities in mine. They kinda organized it based on the students behavior and severity of disabilities. LRC was least severe and Life Skills was most severe. EGC was the middle ground but also used for students with severe behavioral disabilities that made them unsafe in LRC but not unsafe enough for life skills. It’s hard to explain Edit: I have 2 anxiety disorders and autism + PTSD. But my PTSD was not considered relevant for those classrooms

[@chrisoliver4821]

love the video

[@SeychellesLover]

Your complete straight face explaining this gives me life. Especially when you smile it radiates "bitch dont try me"

[@MyArnette]

Tell us about the beautiful birds I hear in backround! What kind are they finches? Parakeets, lovebirds?

[@MyArnette]

Now that is a real choke cleaning cages YIPES!

[@asherslate9769]

I’m getting an anxiety+ service dog, but it’ll preform tasks

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

What you do mean, "but it will perform tasks"? If it didnt perform tasks then it would not be a service dog. Tasks are not optional

[@GoncalosPets]

what noise was that at 10:04? hahaha

[@TheBnaimy]

Needs updating - there have been changes in air travel rules. Airlines do not have to allow emotional support animals.

[@yeahokaycoolcool]

I actually had to get my cat legally registered as an emotional support/therapy animal for when I lived on campus. It wasn't simply to get her in the college dorms, as I know people have done and still do (rather annoying), but rather to treat my panic attacks and help cope with my depression. She's been a wonder since I got her two years ago. Even if she's not trained to do much, I do believe that personality is a huge factor. I would have never registered my childhood cat because she's not as keen on when I'm feeling bad. She wouldn't pay any mind to me having a mental breakdown. Nova, the cat I registered, will walk up to me and sniff me when she knows I'm not okay. She will deliberately keep herself close to me and often lays on me until I feel better. It's pretty awesome, if I do say so.

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Jillian J that's great about your cat but it sounds like you have a lot to learn about assistance animals. Therapy animals go to hospitals, nursing homes etc doing volunteer work visiting people. Doesn't sound like your cat is a therapy cat. Also, there is no such thing as a "registered" emotional support animal. There is no way you can legally have your cat registered in the US since a registry does not exist. As I said in the beginning, if you aren't familiar with assistance animals then don't watch this video, watch the video that explains all these terms, it's in the icard. It sounds like you might not have the correct paper work to actually call your cat an esa.

[@yeahokaycoolcool]

@@HappyTailsAnimals when I say registration, I mean what I did with my therapist. I have documentation from a therapist. Every landlord and college I've been to has accepted her paperwork. And no, she's an emotional support animal for me. Not a therapy animal. P.s. Everyone is allowed to watch whatever they want on KZbin but thanks 👌

[@vikvik16]

I think my oldest dog would be great as a therapy dog. She has so much patience and would be awesome to take her to hospitals.

[@Crimson11129]

Oh the finches

[@gusrodriguez1164]

And make sure your ESA is not barking at a service dog from a shopping cart. You would think all that barking would cause more stress than comfort.

[@countrygirl2198]

also my esa is trained the same extent as my service dog

[@countrygirl2198]

Depending on where you plan to take your therapy dog, you may not need to register him/her. Therapy dog certification can be achieved through various organizations but we recommend the AKC. To earn the AKC Therapy Dog title, you and your dog must do the following: Be certified by a therapy dog organization that is recognized by the AKC Perform the required number of visits: AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished (THDD) - 400 visits AKC Therapy Dog Excellent (THDX) - 200 visits AKC Therapy Dog Advanced (THDA) - 100 visits AKC Therapy Dog (THD) - 50 visits AKC Therapy Dog Novice (THDN) - 10 visits Dog must be registered with AKC (both purebred and mixed breed dogs are eligible)

[@pagaporvista569]

I would love to get my dogs trained as therapy dogs one day. They are so cute, smart and at 20 lbs, the perfect size to navigate nursing homes.

[@countrygirl2198]

A service dog is trained to help people with disabilities such as visual impairments, mental illnesses, seizure disorders, diabetes, etc. A therapy dog is trained to provide comfort and affection to people in hospice, disaster areas, retirement homes, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and more. Emotional support dogs provide their owners therapeutic benefits through companionship

[@lubabe9969]

Thank you so much. I have an animal for ptsd and depression and now I can explain she's an Emotional Support Animal. And housing is exactly why I have her as an ESA. And she behaves very well in public.

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

Even if she behaves in public she has no access rights as a ESA. Only service animals can go to no pet places.

[@tinglesaj8883]

YAY

[@mxvseq]

Tingles AJ You are 2nd

[@rachelh6072]

I appreciate the tone you used in this video. It wasn't condescending at all, like some videos of this type can be at times. I learned a lot from your channel so far. Thanks!

[@aaronarmy3746]

We have a puppy named Fern who we are going to train to become a therapy dog. She will mainly stay in an office and help people work through their problems during a therapy session (these problems could be past trauma, addiction, abuse or one of the many mental disorders). We hope on days off we can take her to schools to educate people about her work and about the problems she will be helping to address. She has yet to start formal training due to her being 3 1/2 months old but her personality is already great. She shows some wariness in new places but she has not once been aggressive or tried to run from people or dogs. We have high hopes for our girl! On another note, she hasn't even become a therapy dog and been out in public with any kind of vest on and I have already had to explain the difference between SDs and TDs. It is quite unfortunate that people just aren't educated about this.

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Am Li that is so awesome!

[@kassierivera5635]

You really help me 🙏🏼 with this topic Thank you so much

[@shelbyjene332]

I’m so glad you made this video!

[@greymage6977]

You will find that there is some crossover when it comes to mental health between the ESA and Service Dogs. There are mental/emotional conditions in which people need the animal to be with them to go outside (at all), to go to the grocery store or to deal with people. The dog is trained to recognize when the person is anxious and will put themselves between their person and whatever they see is causing the anxiety. They even will attempt to pull the person away from it if they are non-responsive and lick their face if they are having an anxiety attack. I have social anxiety disorder and crowds larger than 10 people make me vary nervous. I have a service dog, who does all those things for me. She only ever barks whenever someone knocks on the door and she is registered in my state as a Service Dog..

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

its like you saw this video and said, "I don't need to watch, I'm just going to comment nonsense"

[@silkgirlvincent2540]

THIS IS really educational to everything for everyone thanks for making this video ... love u Meghan all your pets are beautiful and you are very beautiful !!!

[@ZeroTwo-ys4jw]

I’m getting an emotional support ferret :)

[@demetriusdemarcusbartholom6161]

Can you bring ESAs into public places with permission, for example, a mall, or a restaurant?

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

No

[@__xiaodai]

therapy dogs can come to mental hospitals too!

[@chrissyj653]

My psychologist diagnosed me with panic disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression and I can't go out in public by myself without a panic attack so I was telling her about how my dog calms me down when I am having a panic attack so she wrote me a letter that says I need to bring him with me she told me that as long as he knows basic training and has his shots he would be fine. I keep checking everything out and as I look more and more I am more worried about bringing him places incase I am wrong and if somebody confronts me I know I would probably start crying because I really do not know much about this stuff. (I am sorry about all the errors please look past it)

[@chrissyj653]

Ps: she is gonna look for me a vest for him saying he is a working dog. I asked her what he would be labeled as incase someone asked and she said kinda like a esa and therapy dog. Also I do not have enough money to have him trained.

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Chrissy J therapy dogs go to hospitals and other places doing volunteer work. Your dog is not a therapy dog. Is he trained to do task work? Esa do not have access rights, so if he is an esa he can't go anywhere with you. Did you watch the video?

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Chrissy J why not train him yourself? You have no access rights. Money shouldn't be an issue to make him a service dog.

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Chrissy J it would be very beneficial for you to watch this video.

[@eliicd303]

@@chrissyj653 Therapy dogs do NOT work for one person, they only work with many people in hospitals, schools and nursing homes. An emotional support animal is not a therapy animal.

[@asherslate9769]

I’m getting a service dog/ therapeutic dog for anxiety.. to preform tasks for me. Cause it effects my everyday life, also my PTSD and cardiac issue

[@asherslate9769]

Chickie Pie I wAs vvv tired when I posted that oop-

[@ashm3697]

wow it's so much easier to take in all this info with the birds constantly chirping in the background

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

My channel probably isn't for you then

[@thevikk6976]

Glad to see all this. My landlord wants to make me get rid of my dogs, but after your 2 videos, I realize I'm the only one telling the truth about just having dogs not fake service pets lol

[@thevikk6976]

They're just dogs... Like all the other dogs here who jump on you, and want attention, but mine go outside & have their shots so now I'm guessing mine are more legit than the other ones lol

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

Your dogs are not service dogs.

[@thevikk6976]

Nope I just got 2 puppies cuz they are adorable! But everyone else says theirs are some kind of service dogs here, and my landlord wants just me to get rid of mine, because they're just pet doggies

[@thevikk6976]

But I didn't claim they're anything, but regular pets so I'm the only one who is being told my pets need to leave, but from your 2 videos I know the other dogs in the building aren't anywhere near service dogs as they say.

[@eliicd303]

Service animals are NOT pets.

[@dail1985]

Great video!

[@roymarable5860]

An emotional support dog is just a pet.

[@dancemomsnews6460]

Do you know NOT only veterans have PTSD? Not trying to be rude. 7:32 - 8:16 is very helpful. Thanks for the nice vid!!

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

This video actually isn't about PTSD, it's about working dogs. Veterans is a quick and easy way to explain PTSD dogs when that's not the subject

[@dancemomsnews6460]

Oh, I am very sorry. You are so inspiring and you make my day every day. THANK YOU. Again, SO SORRY...☺️

[@mekenzieshoemaker6167]

What about abandonment issue

[@shadyws310]

My esa goes everywhere and people are nice...

[@hannah-zw5dy]

Elena Faenza doesn't mean it's a good idea. if they have a bad experience with you ever, it ruins their perception of real service animals. and your esa can only veto no pets allowed rules, pet fees and deposits in housing and aircrafts. yes, esa's help comfort you but service dog handler's life depends on that animal.

[@hannah-zw5dy]

Elena Faenza i'm really not trying to be rude. but if you take your esa with you everywhere, you are breaking a federal law meant to protect *service animals*

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Elena Faenza congratulations on cheating the system, breaking a federal law and being a low class human being. Sincerely Someone directly hurt by people like you

[@shadyws310]

Happy Tails I didn’t know I was uninformed because he’s been my esa for 10 years so now I know I will be mindful . You don’t have to be so mean ..

[@umaxen0048]

I give Meghan F I V E S T A R S ! ! !

[@rachaelscott2973]

I LOVE your videos❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jengarman8340]

What is a good name for a Leopard gecko

[@brennahomuth567]

leo

[@javk.916]

What would my dog be called bc shes for my depression and anxiety because sometimes i will pass out from stress

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

What your dog is called is based on what she does for you, not the condition you have.

[@wesli2510]

I hate when people fake their “ESA’s” (which probably even aren’t ESA’s) as service dogs, but I hate when people classify ESA’s as only “fake service dogs”. They’re not fake. They help people every day.

[@whitneythiher6021]

I have an ESA. My youngest cat is my Emaotional Support Animal. I get to bring him to college with me, but I have to go through a long process. It is well worth it though. I have trained him myself, not for any task, but a few tricks. He comes when I call his name,Raphael, and he also knows sit and shake. We are working on the down command but it takes a while. Cats are so much more difficult to train then dogs. One thing I hate is when people try to bring an ESA, real or fake, where they are not supoosed to be. It makes all ESAs look bad and makes me seem like a girl who just wants to have her pet in the dorm. In reality he saved me when i was in a dark place in my life. I would frequently be sent home from school because of panic attacks where I would hyperventalate. Though I still have panic attacks I have had far fewer and none where I hyperventalate sice I got my ESA.

[@yeahokaycoolcool]

I have my cat registered too and she's done the same for me! I love hearing of how ESAs have helped others and I do admit the people who register theirs just for planes and housing are slightly aggravating to me.

[@blancodraco]

You dont need to register any animal to become a ESA., those sites are just after money and hold no legal protection. All you need is a letter from a dr and prove resonable accomidations. ESAs are only allowed in no pet housing, and on air planes.

[@whitneythiher6021]

Mathew White Different rules apply for dorm rooms. At my school I had to get my doctor to fill out a form and it went before a board of people who decided whether he got to come with me or not.

[@blancodraco]

Whitney Thiher it's called reasonable accommodation. If the school says OK, that thier decision.

[@whitneythiher6021]

Mathew White I know. Raphael is still my ESA.

[@SamDonaldsonNightcore]

Does it make sense that my ESA is trained to help with panic attacks?

[@paigecook4750]

yes

[@julventing4940]

I do have an ESA. I trained him, I’m aware he is not able to go in public places. I suffer from GAD, severe anxiety, panick attacks and a few more, or large crowds, airports, malls, rooms with a lot of people. I’m going on a trip and meeting with people all over the country. There are going to be about 1000 people. I contacted the hotel owner and asked if they could allow the dog full access around the hotel, except the pool. Is it illegal because esas don’t have public access, or not illegal because I asked the hotel and they gave permission?

[@sunshinepunkish]

Juliana.15 this is late but if the hotel manager says ok then it’s ok sorry I couldn’t give an earlier comment

[@julventing4940]

Animal Lover it’s okay. Thanks

[@joshuabazan1649]

can you show us how you feed your sugar glideres i am getting one soon and don't know how to prepare there meal

[@crhombifer12]

If you don't know how to take care of them, than why are you getting one? I hate it when people don't do their research before getting a pet.

[@allyfiorido902]

What about police dogs??

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Ally Fiorido this video is about assistance animals, it does not include all working dogs.

[@blancodraco]

Police dogs, are not Service Dogs according to the gov't which clearly defines Service Dogs via the ADA which is enforced by the Department of Justice.

[@emotoaster6110]

Thank you for making this video! This helped out a lot !!!

[@penyrylt]

VERY helpful. Thank you so much!

[@holylightbulb]

This video was great! Thank you for making a video about this :)

[@holylightbulb]

Also, I'm not sure if anyone else had this problem, but there wasn't an I card available on the video D:

[@celestesberrysweetnerds2632]

love you

[@brianblackwell2308]

i am still looking, so far us statue states that you can train your own animal

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Brian Blackwell that's a federal law, it's not up to states. You can train your own service dog.

[@LotusNicky]

Thank you this one cleared up alot

[@tubstnk]

Could I make a Pacific Parrotlet (small pet bird) an ESA for depersonalization?

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+HowToByHannah why do you want an esa?

[@tubstnk]

Happy Tails Depersonalization Disorder and social anxiety

[@hannah-zw5dy]

ZazuTheParrotlet yes you can. you can have any pet as an esa. regardless of anything.

[@anthonywellwood8443]

That is a really helpful video, thanks!

[@ellaesposito]

hi, i was wondering if a bunny could be a therapy animal? mine are very sweet and i would like them to visit hospitals and stuff to make people feel better.

[@service_poodles]

ella yes in some states

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

any animal can be a therapy animal.

[@wesli2510]

I thought I would need something else, but I think I may need an ESA! I was thinking about a service dog for a while but my anxiety attacks are mostly at night when I’m at home so I could train a dog to perform DPT and to detect when panic attacks are coming on at home! I’m not sure whether this would help or not bc a lot of my panic attacks are in public where I can’t bring an ESA, but I’m sure as heck willing to try!

[@5581qwerty]

Service dogs do not have to be trained by a company they can be trained by their owner

[@plasmaman9592]

I have a bad limp and a paralyzed arm from a motorcycle accident 15 years ago and I've always wondered I would be eligible for a service dog and if so what type of tasks a dog can be trained to do to help do you have any insight on this?

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Jason Green mobility support and the dog could also help pick things up and grab things

[@vacoeshamurphy491]

Can a boerbel mastiff be a ESA?

[@kristin6944]

I have severe anxiety that doesn’t allow me to go to school even, and I have breakdowns because of the thought of school. If I had an ESD or SD, which one would I have? EDIT: I have ADHD as well as very mild depression. Added with those will probably affect the answer, so that is why i added this edit. Thank you for reading.

[@countrygirl2198]

Therapy dogs are used in facilities to comfort people and give affection. Spending time with a therapy dog has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate, reduce anxiety and increase endorphins and oxytocin. Therapy dogs do not have to be trained to perform specific tasks like service dogs.

[@LITTLEMUSTANGFILLY]

This is very interesting it's good that you're making people more aware of this cause a lot of people (myself included until a few months ago) was not aware that ESA's were not service animals. I knew what therapy dogs were because my mom works in a hospital.

[@eliaskip2855]

So if you rent an apartment and you can only have 2 pets (a dog and cat, two cats, or two dogs), does the ESA count towards those two pets if you have the paperwork?

[@theXxgajxX]

Blazing Tail usually it's one pet. What paperwork? Their is only a letter from a therapist

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

Only one animal is an esa unless you have a good reason why there needs to be two, like pet rats for example that must be kept in pairs.

[@eliaskip2855]

Happy Tails okay, thank you!!!!

[@CreativelyKia]

How would I get one an esa if i never been treated for anything or went to thearpy before? I don't have insurance or the luxury to see someone from time to time. Maybe i could pay out of pocket for like 1-2 sessions, do you think they'd give me one upfront if i talked to them about it? Or no because i haven't been there 'in their care' long enough? HELP. Puhhhhlease

[@ErinAllysonMusic]

If you really had a serious clinical diagnosis then they could help you. If you just want a dog who's trained, it's not really an ESA or service dog. I recommend consulting a doctor.

[@bethcatron5797]

I have hypoglycemia can I have a service dog?

[@lemontreewhoop7317]

watermelon girl15 Yes, if it limits one or more daily life activity, and the dog needs to preform tasks

[@lemontreewhoop7317]

Chickie Pie I know that???

[@lemontreewhoop7317]

Chickie Pie Because it was the easiest wording? So sorry for not putting task/tasks. Also you're replying to something that was said a year ago ?

[@user-gh5yt6li2u]

stupid question- but what about a service dog for anger? i dunno why i have anger. but i do. and its very intense over the teeniest of things- i feel like a dog could kind of "snap me out of it" when i lose control. and also help calm me down. also in those turn of events i end up hurting myself. like biting, scratching, and hitting my arm against things. i havent been diagnosed with anything or even went to a medical doctor (yet)

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

That sounds like anxiety

[@countrygirl2198]

i have a service dog but i also have a esa there different and not the same

[@lemontreewhoop7317]

Loved this video!! Thank you for making this!!

[@yvonnegonzalezmartinez5370]

Meghan can you make a video talking about PTSD dogs please. Plus how PTSD dogs are not only for people who served in the military.

[@mimi.jaroszek]

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

[@aslyn8839]

100% yes please. As someone with PTSD due to domestic abuse, sexual abuse and rape it is such a struggle. Its horrible when im invalidated because I am young, and because I am not a veteran.

[@suemcfarlane4199]

Yvonne Gonzalez ptsd is not just a military thing a lot of first responders suffer with it as well other service dogs work with epileptic people alerting to a on coming seizure this is a hidden disability you look ok no wheelchair etc

[@suemcfarlane4199]

Sophia Israel post traumatic stress disorder

[@suemcfarlane4199]

Mimi Jaroszek it's a very disabling problem often evolving flashbacks and panic attacks

[@thepizzainthebackofyourfre9615]

Question I need someone to answer please Is there an age requirement for a service dog? I keep searching it on ada.gov but nothing is showing. I ask this because in the comments under a video someone said “that dog is too old to be in training” it definitely wasn’t an elderly dog but it wasn’t a puppy either.

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

It takes thousands of dollars to train a service dog. So think of it as an investment. If your dog is 6 years old, you dont want to spend tons of money training him when he will need to be retired in two or three years. You want to train a younger dog so that you have help for your disability for a long time.

[@newnana9070]

I stand corrected.

[@starafina]

Idk if I. Need a esa or a service dog because sometimes (not really often) I get anxious or something I don't really know what when I run to much or just I lose a lot of breathe and I run I feel like basically I lose my vision and I feel really sick (and I promise it feels really bad) oh and it happens when I get to hot sometimes I just discovered that because when I was on a field trip with my class I felt sick and I lost my vision a little bit but I didn't lose all my vision cuz when that happens I need to rest otherwise it will make my thing worse

[@paigecook4750]

I would advise talking to your doctor to see if that could be something a dog could help with but it shouldn’t be the first option sometimes meds work fine

[@sofiaxglam9294]

Does my moms emotional support dog have to be trained because every time we go to a store like pets mart or any were if he sees a dog he barks a lot should we train him for that so he can behave him self

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

Please stop taking your emotional support dog to the store! They do not have access rights. What you are doing is causing so many problems. Your dog could distract a real service dog and a person with a real disability could end up very hurt.

[@sofiaxglam9294]

Happy Tails ok thanks for the reply but should I train my dog?

[@countrygirl2198]

my service dogs for anxiety panic attack ptsd and much more service dogs can be used for anxiety

[@TheWorkingAussie]

Thank you! Training my girl to be my psychiatric service dog.

[@countrygirl2198]

Service Dog: Severe Allergy Alert Dogs (AADs) Job: To alert their handler to life-threatening allergens that may be in the area, especially tree nuts, gluten or shellfish Handler: May or may not have visible signs of disability Gear: Allergen Alert Dogs typically wear a vest with pockets for emergency information, medical information and/or medication. For their handler’s safety in the event of an emergency and to ensure fast and accurate medical care, AADs should sport a patch that says, “IN EVENT OF EMERGENCY CHECK POCKETS.” Notes: Often partnered with children, but can be seen partnered with any person with a life-threatening allergy. Most Allergen Alert Dogs carry medical information and emergency protocol in their vest or on a USB key attached to their collar. Service Dog: Autism Assistance Dogs Job: To assist in calming and grounding an individual on the autism spectrum via tactile or deep pressure stimulation. May also assist in teaching life skills, maintaining boundaries or finding a “runner.” Handler: Likely to be a child, but could be older. May or may not show visible signs of disability, and may or may not be verbal. Gear: Autism Assistance Dogs don’t have distinguishing gear. If a dog’s partner is young and non-verbal, the dog should carry emergency protocol and contact information in his vest. Notes: Autism Assistance Dogs and Sensory Processing Disorder Dogs fall into the same category and usually perform identical task work. Service Dog: Brace/Mobility Support Dogs (BMSD) Job: A Brace/Mobility Support Dog works to provide bracing or counterbalancing to a partner who has balance issues due to a disability. Many BMSDs also retrieve, open/close doors or do other tasks to assist in day-to-day life or in an emergency. Handler: Will vary in presentation depending on disability. Could be any age. Gear: Most Brace/Mobility Support Dogs wear a specially-fitted and designed harness to help them safely assist their partner. However, just because a dog isn’t wearing a brace harness doesn’t mean he may not be a brace dog Notes: Brace/Mobility Support Dogs must be large enough to safely support their human partner. In general, BMSD must be at least 23″ tall and 55 pounds to perform brace/counterbalance work safely, and must be proportionally larger if their human is larger than average. [/alert][alert style=”grey”] Service Dog: Diabetic Alert Dogs (DADs) Job: To alert their handler to dangerous or potentially deadly blood sugar highs and lows. Many dogs are trained to call 911 on a special K-9 Alert Phone if their partner cannot be roused. Handler: May show signs of visible disability, but likely will not. Could be any age from very, very young to a senior citizen. Gear: Diabetic Alert Dogs typically don’t wear special gear. DADs should carry emergency protocols in their vest if the dog would ever be the first point of contact with an emergency medical team. Notes: Diabetic Alert Dogs are also known as “Blood Sugar Alert Dogs.” Service Dog: Hearing Dogs Job: To alert their deaf or Deaf handler to specifically trained environmental sounds, including, but not limited to, alarms, doorbells, knocking, phones, cars or their name. Handler: Likely won’t show signs of disability. May or may not speak verbal English. Gear: Hearing Dogs don’t require special gear, but many state laws designate bright orange as reserved for Hearing Dogs. Notes: Hearing Dogs can be trained to respond to any environmental sound or cue their handler needs to know about. Just because you can’t see what a Hearing Dog is responding to doesn’t mean he’s not working. Service Dog: Medical Alert Dogs (MADs) Job: To alert their handler to dangerous physiological changes such as blood pressure, hormone levels or another verifiable, measurable bodily symptom. Handler: May or may not show signs of disability. Gear: Depending on the handler’s disability, the dog may or may not have specialized gear. Notes: Medical Alert Dogs’ jobs and functions can vary widely. Also, all DADs are Medical Alert Dogs, but not all Medical Alert Dogs are DADs. [/alert][alert=”white”] Service Dog: Medical Assistance Dogs Job: To assist their handler with a medical disability via trained, specific, mitigating task work. Handler: Can vary widely in presentation of disability and age. Gear: Can vary widely based on dog’s job, function and training. Notes: “Medical Assistance Dog” tends to be a catch-all category for a Service Dog that doesn’t “fit” anywhere else. It’s also commonly utilized when the handler doesn’t feel like going into detail. Service Dog: Psychiatric Service Dog (PSDs) Job: To assist their handler with a psychiatric disability such as anxiety, depression or PTSD via specific, trained tasks. Handler: Can vary widely in presentation but often appears to not have a disability. Often cited as having an “invisible” disability. Gear: No special gear required. Notes: Psychiatric Service Dogs are protected under the same fe deral laws that protect other Service Dogs. They must be given the exact same treatment and access rights. Note: Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and Therapy Dogs are NOT the same as Psychiatric Service Dogs and are not covered under the ADA, and nor do they have any public access whatsoever. Service Dog: Seizure Response Dogs Job: To respond to their handler’s seizures via trained tasks. The dog may retrieve medication, utilize deep pressure stimulation to end a seizure early, fetch a nearby person to help or call 911. Other trained tasks are common as well. Handler: May or may not show signs of physical disability. Gear: Typically no special gear required. Notes: Seizure Alert Dogs fall under this category. Please keep in mind that you cannot train a Seizure Response Dog to alert to seizures - it must be something the dog comes to do naturally via association with their human partner and an intuitive nature. Service Dog: Visual Assistance Dogs Job: To guide their visually impaired or blind handler. Handler: May or may not show signs of visible disability. Gear: Visual Assistance Dogs will wear a guide dog harness, typically of which at least some part is white. White is the color protected for use by guide dogs and visually impaired individuals. Notes: Visual Assistance Dogs are commonly called “Guide Dogs” or “Leader Dogs.” Most are Labs, Goldens or German Shepherds, but they can be any sturdy, even-tempered, medium or large breed dog. Service Dog: Wheelchair Assistance Dogs Job: To assist their partner by retrieving dropped objects, opening doors, retrieving the phone, helping with transfers or anything else their partner may need. Handler: Is in a wheelchair. May or may not be ambulatory at times. Gear: No special gear required, but many wear a special harness to assist in pulling a chair or opening a door. Notes: Wheelchair Assistance Dogs can vary widely in trained tasks and actual job.

[@daisy1983]

Where can I get my dog registered to be my official ESA??

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Daisy Deisy there is no such thing as regeristed, check out my service dog playlist, there is a video on how to make them an esa.

[@littlebearcub1313]

I have PTSD and I’m getting a dog to help with that, where would he classify so I know what category I need to train him in. Would he classify in the emotional support or Therapy dog category or neither?

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

Did you watch the video?

[@littlebearcub1313]

Happy Tails yes I rewatched it thank you, I understand now.

[@therashyhachikohazuki354]

When it comes to autism witch is better a service dog or an esa

[@hatenayousei]

it depends on your needs. if you need a dog that can help you with struggles caused by your autism, for example, providing deep pressure therapy when you're having sensory overload, then you'd want a service dog. but if you just want an animal to cuddle with after a long day, you'd want an esa.

[@countrygirl2198]

PTSD IS NOT JUST FOR VETRENS SO PLZ GET THE FACTS STRAIGHT

[@raggedreptiles6830]

great video

[@pammiller1118]

Do Emotional Support Animals have to be dogs? Because if not my lepord gekeo would make a great ESA

[@RoughRiderElk]

I had an argument with some people over this I tried to tell them that ESA don't have the same rights as service animals and they all said "As long as their registered emotional support dogs have the same rights". I tried to say look it up. but they didn't. The guy was like "I'm not wrong on this"......

[@samfata8329]

Can esa go into schools

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+softball girl1224 no, no public access means you can't take them anywhere that doesn't allow pets

[@debbiedonlon928]

Most hotels who have a no pet policy can only allow ADA trained dogs. They are trained for an average of two years. Professionally before they are granted to their handler. The loop hole now is the mental illness factor where a doctor who may Recommend the animal to say the person could benefit from the animal being with them. This is still not an ADA trained dog and does not qualify for full access. Many people try to fake their pet is an ADA animal because they do not always behave and interfere with real ADA animals and create stress for real ADA handlers

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

You really need to do more research. There are psychiatric service dogs which are different than emotional support animals. Stop giving advice on a subject you don't understand.

[@debbiedonlon928]

@@HappyTailsAnimals you are correct in the differentiation of therapy dogs and emotional support. Both are still not 2 year trained animals for a specific task. For example to let their handler know if their blood sugar level has dropped by poking their nose on the handlers face, or if they are about to have a seizure, or to lead the person to a quiet place. ADA dogs are trained basic skills for at least a year then they are more specialized in their training for a specific task. However the laws are changing and are ambiguous

[@newnana9070]

PTSD dogs are trained service dogs. How can you say they are not. That is a disability and these dogs are task dogs.

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Deborah Allen did you watch this???? I have never said that. Seriously watch the video, you wouldn't be so confused

[@MadisonMcGowan14]

I love this. Very educational for people who don't understand. I work in retail and I see service dogs and emotional support dogs and these people don't understand the difference. I once had a woman come in with her esa and pick it up and literally set the dog on the checkout counter. The dog wasn't super misbehaved but definitely did not act as well as service dog and this was frustrating for the employees. We love having service animals in the store but when people just bring their dogs in, it can be distraction and frustrating.

[@MaryJoSminkey]

It doesn't matter if they are a SD or an ESA, there is no right to put a dog up on the counter. Especially if that could be a sanitary issues. Reasonable accomodation does NOT mean allowing the dog to go anywhere the handler wants. Putting them in shopping carts falls in the same category. You have every legal right to ask them to remove the dog.

[@covala3433]

What if you have a therapy dog that's trained like a service dog? Is that more of an emotional support dog?

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

+Connor Thrasher that makes no sense. Did you watch the video?

[@covala3433]

Happy Tails I’m sorry I didn’t really elaborate. What I meant was if I trained my emotional support dog to do certain things for me like an anxiety alert, would they still be considered an emotional support dog? But I know the answer now. I apologize.

[@jellybean1293]

Thank you so much for making this video Meghan! So many people don't understand and it gets really annoying at times.

[@LITTLEMUSTANGFILLY]

oh hey I forgot to ask, with therapy dogs, say you've been traveling to hospitals and assisted living homes all day and you need to stop at a gas station for water or to use the restroom, is it appropriate to bring that dog inside with you assuming it's well trained. well I guess it would have to be trained in the first place to have therapy dog status does this make sense? I only ask cause what does a therapy dog's handler do in that scenario. especially in places like Arizona (where I live). you can't just leave them in the car. not that you should leave any animal in the car but your average pet should be at home in the first place. I've just wondered what the right answer is to that scenario.

[@lemontreewhoop7317]

LITTLEMUSTANGFILLY While therapy dogs are well trained, they still do not have public access. So maybe keep the AC on for it, if your ever in that situation

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

They do not have access rights. You can leave them in the car with the AC on, but you shouldn't be making any stops while with them.

[@kellystephensonpeterman2649]

LITTLEMUSTANGFILLY you can use the facilities at the locations you are visiting. I'm sure they would have a public restroom.

[@astranoon]

If you want your dog to be a service dog do you need to get them from a breeder, and do they have to be eight weeks old when you get them, or can they be a bit older (in my case five months)?

[@service_poodles]

Sarah Howell any dog, age, breed or size can be as long as they have the right temperament and training

[@brianblackwell2308]

to add to my last statement the animal must meet all requirements set forth by the ADA.

[@countrygirl2198]

Are you asking yourself, “Can my dog be a therapy dog?” It’s important to first state that not all dogs are good candidates to be therapy dogs. Therapy dogs should be naturally calm as well as affectionate and friendly to strangers. They need to be obedient in addition to having regular wellness check-ups and also be well-groomed for each visit. To train a dog to be a therapy dog, you may wish to do the following: Socialize your dog to new people, places and things Complete obedience training with commands like look and leave it in addition to teaching them to not jump on people and more Enroll your dog in a therapy dog class Register your dog with a national therapy dog organization

[@emmerypersonal7188]

i have a therapy dog hes the best

[@eliicd303]

No therapy animals do not work for one person, they only work for many people in hospitals, schools and nursing homes.

[@catedubill4067]

Could I qualify for a service dog? I have Crohn’s

[@TwistedTM]

Is it allowed to have a emotional support animal at a school (public school) cause one girl I know does have a dog who goes to school with her cause she has depression and anxiety ect

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

No it is not.