Q. When did people start using service dogs?
A.  "The first guide dog training schools were established in Germany during World War I, to enhance the mobility of returning veterans who were blinded in combat. The United States followed suit in 1929 with The Seeing Eye in Nashville, Tennessee (relocated in 1931 to Morristown, New Jersey). One of the founders of The Seeing Eye was America's first guide dog owner, Nashville resident Morris Frank. Frank was trained with German Shepherd Dog Buddy in Switzerland in 1928."

Q. What breeds are used as service dogs?
A. Popular service dog breeds are labradors, golden retrievers, standard poodles, and German shepherds. But breeds of all size are used, from chihuahua to mastiff.  Mutts can be service dogs too!  But, not all dogs can do all jobs. It would be very hard for a yorkie to do mobility work. Disabled people must be practical when choosing the kind of dog they need to assist them.

Q. I keep hearing things about "comfort animals". Are they service animals?
A. NO!  These are emotional support animals.  People with ESAs have no access rights under the ADA.  Under the Air Carrier Access Act, ESAs may be brought aboard an airplane free of charge.  For information:  ACAA Guidelines for ESAs   Under the Fair Housing Act, ESAs are also allowed in no-pets housing. Please see  Right to Emotional Support Animals for more information.  Extensive paperwork may required for access with an ESA. This is not an easy task.

Q. What is the difference between a service dog and an emotional support animal?
A. A service dog is trained to do tasks/work that mitigates their handler's disability. They are also trained to be very well-behaved in public.  Service dogs are allowed virtually everywhere. Only private clubs and religious organizations are allowed to exclude them.  Emotional support animals are often called comfort animals. They do not do disability-mitigating work and are only there for comfort and cuddles. They DO NOT have public access rights with their handlers.  Please see previous question for more information.

Q.  Where do I get a vest for my dog?
A. Humboldt Service Dogs can help disabled people get the proper gear for their SD or SDIT. If need help with this, please contact us. If you are wanting to slap a vest onto your dog to take it everywhere, you have come to the wrong place! Doing that is illegal and we will NOT help you break the law.

Q. What kinds of things can dogs be trained to do?
A. Dogs are very smart and can be trained to do many things. To get some ideas, here are some examples of things dogs can be trained to do to assist with physical disabilities. Tasks for Physical Disabilities  And here are examples of what dogs can be trained to do to assist with psychiatric disabilities. Tasks for Psychiatric Disabilities


More to come, stay tuned.


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