Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, and ESA’s - What’s the Difference?
Service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support animals (ESA’s) all offer comfort and assistance, helping to improve and enrich people's daily lives. However, there are many misconceptions regarding the roles of these animal partners. It’s important to note these differences between service dogs, therapy dogs, and ESA’s as they each serve different purposes, and have varying legal statuses and training requirements.
Service Dogs
The Americans with Disabilities Act defines service dogs as those trained to assist one particular individual (their owner or handler) through tasks related to that specific person’s disability.
A diagnosis and letter from a doctor is required to “prescribe” a service dog.
They must be highly trained in obedience, public access etiquette, and their required service task(s).
Contrary to popular belief, there are no legal certifications required to prove that a dog is in fact a service dog. People with disabilities have the right to train the dog themselves and are not required by law to use a professional service dog trainer’s program (though, seeking the help of a professional trainer is highly recommended!).
They are not required to wear a special harness or any signage declaring that they are a service dog.
Service dogs will often have acquired a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate, though this is not mandatory.
A service dog’s access to public spaces is legally protected by federal law.
Only two specific questions may be asked regarding the status of a service dog: (1) “Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?” and (2) “What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?” No one is allowed to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability.
Dog wearing vest with a “Service Dog” patch.
Therapy Dogs
A therapy dog provides comfort and emotional support for many people rather than just their handler or owner.
They must be highly trained in obedience and public etiquette.
These dogs will often possess a CGC certificate.
There are no legal certifications required to prove that a dog is a therapy dog. Individuals have the right to train the dog themselves and are not required to use a professional therapy dog training program.
They are not required to wear a special harness or any signage declaring that they are a therapy dog.
Therapy dogs’ access to public spaces is not legally protected, but is permitted by individual institutions. They travel to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, disaster zones, and any number of places where people may require comfort and support.
Therapy dogs and their handlers are often members of a non-profit organization.
Dog wearing a vest with a “Therapy Dog” patch.
Emotional Support Animals
An ESA is an animal (not always a dog!) who provides comfort and emotional support for a particular individual.
A letter from a doctor is required to “prescribe” an ESA.
There are no legal certifications required to prove that an animal is an ESA, and individuals have the right to train the animal themselves.
They are not required to wear a special harness or any signage declaring that they are an emotional support animal
An ESA’s access to public spaces is NOT legally protected. However, the Fair Housing Act protects ESAs’ from landlords’ restrictions and fees.