Are owner trained Service Dogs the same as school trained?

Answer 1

Yes, the ADI (Assistance Dogs International, Inc.) sets global standards for service Dog Training. Most schools are members to ensure compliance.

Owner Trained services dogs are legally treated the same, however it is up to the owner/trainer to ensure it meets the legal requirements of being trained. Schools and trainers certify their animals to show that it has met at least the minimum standards for ADI.

Every service dog in public represents the entire community. All dogs should be well trained as an incident can reflect badly for all future service dogs.

Answer 2

Therapy dogs and medical service dogs are both working dogs, but they have different jobs, credentials, and permissions granted to them. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is individually trained to do work and perform tasks for a person with a disability. Only dogs (and added most recently, miniature horses) are able to be service animals and they receive specific and extensive training for the tasks and duties they will be performing. Service dogs can assist the blind, deaf, those with mental disorders, and those with many other disabling conditions. They are not considered pets. They are considered medical equipment and are legally permitted to accompany their handler in all areas where the members of the public are allowed to go. Often, specific breeds of dogs are trained for certain jobs. According to the ADA, therapy dogs whose sole purpose is to provide comfort and emotional support are not considered service dogs. Therapy animals can be of a variety of species, including dogs. Dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, even pigs can be therapy animals. The species and breed of the animal are not as important as the temperament and willingness of the animal to do the job. Training and certification for a therapy dog varies according to the job and rules of the individual locations it will be working in. Some settings do not require any formal training, while others may require strict training and adherence to specific rules and conditions. Unlike service dogs that are legally allowed to accompany wherever their handler goes, therapy dogs can only perform their duties where they are invited. Therapy dogs can work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries, and anywhere they can be of assistance.

Answer 3

No. A therapy dog is a pet that volunteers with its owner. It helps large groups of people through friendly visiting.

A service dog is a working dog that does tasks and work to help mitigate the disability of its one handler.

Answer 4

No a Therapy Dog and Service Dog are very different.

A Service Dog is trained extensively to accomplish a specific task or series of tasks (like detect seizures or lead the blind). They are able to accompany their "person" anywhere.

Therapy Dogs may or may not have training or certification (depending on the State it can vary). They typically provide comfort or entertainment. They must be invited anywhere they go. Many therapy dogs visit nursing homes, hospitals, or schools but they must be invited.