Service Dogs

Service Dogs are defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act as dogs that are specifically trained to help people with disabilities.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not the same as Service Dogs. Service Dogs are allowed in many places where ordinary pets are not permitted. For the most part, ESAs are not allowed in places where ordinary pets are not permitted.  However, ESAs are currently allowed in the cabin of an airplane and in some types of no-pet housing. 

As a Service Dog Coach (SDC), I provide the following services with regard to the above animals:

  • I provide guidance in selecting a puppy for service work;
  • I coach people with disabilities to train their own dog to assist them as a Service Dog. I specialize in:  diabetic alert dogs, mobility assistance dogs, psychiatric Service Dogs and hearing dogs.  I accept clients for Service Dog training on a case by case basis.
  • I provide guidance in selecting a puppy as an ESA for assistance with emotional support;
  • I can help ESA’s be calm for air travel and teach good manners to enable them to live in no-pet housing.

What SDCs Require

The Owner must:

  • be 18 years of age or older;
  • have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act;
  • have support from his/her licensed healthcare provider for use of a Service Dog;
  • be able to attend training lessons for 1.5 to 2 years if starting with a puppy or for 6 months to 1 year if beginning with an already obedience-trained adult dog;
  • be able to commit daily time to practicing with his/her dog between classes/lessons/appointments;
  • be willing to wait until I evaluate his/her dog’s suitability and assist with the training of the necessary foundation skills before putting Service Dog identification on his/her dog and before taking his/her dog to places where ordinary pets are not permitted; and
  • realize that he/she may end up with a dog that can only help at home or in places ordinary pets are allowed. (Up to 50% of Service Dog candidates in programs are not able to complete training and work in places where ordinary pets are not permitted.)

 The Dog must:

  • be under 4 years of age, unless already possessing an obedience/CGC background, and physically healthy
  • be easily trained; (Although each dog is assessed as an individual, some breeds or mixes are more likely to have characteristics suitable for service work.)
  • have no history of aggression towards dogs, people and other animals; and
  • have no history of any serious behavioral problems such as fear or separation anxiety.

An SDC’s Service Dog Training Process 

Step 1

Phone Appointment – I discuss the owner’s needs, identify tasks that would be helpful to train, review the dog’s behavioral history and provide training recommendations.  Prior to scheduling the owner’s phone appointment, he/she will need to complete and return the Service Dog Intake Form.  (Fee: $50)

Step 2

In-Person Evaluation – I look at how the dog responds to new situations and some minor stressors.  This allows me to see if it is appropriate to begin training the dog for service work.  (Fee: $150)

Step 3

Training – For puppies, the process usually takes 1.5 to 2 years, and for an obedience-trained adult dog, the process usually takes 6 months to 1 year.  Training may include group classes (Fee: $170 – $200 per 6-week session), day training and/or private lessons (Fee: $100 per session).  Progress check-ins and testing are required. (Fee: $50 each) 

Step 4

Follow-Up Support – I provide ongoing maintenance training and annual evaluations throughout the Service Dog’s working career. (Fee: $100 per session)

About Service Dog Coaches (SDCs)

Service Dog Coaches are uniquely qualified to work with people with disabilities who are committed to training their own Service Dogs. Service Dog training requires specific knowledge, skills and education that most pet dog trainers don’t have.  Partnering with the right Service Dog training professional is essential to the owner’s success.

  1. SDCs are accomplished professionals with years of training experience, a formal education in canine training and behavior and a track record of success.
  2. SDCs have completed an advanced, one-of-a-kind program that focuses on all facets of Service Dog training, including Service Dog laws, temperament selection, assistance task training, public-access training and working with people with disabilities.
  3. SDCs understand that the dog is so much more than a “tool.” SDCs follow a code of ethics and are committed to using science-based, positive training methods as recommended by the American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior.

What SDCs Believe About Service Dog Training and Evaluation

  1. SDCs recognize that some pet dogs are not suited for public-access work.  Some dogs who are not appropriate for public-access work may be trained to perform tasks to help people with disabilities in their homes. SDCs recognize that for some people with disabilities an “at home only” Service Dog may provide invaluable support.  
  2. SDCs recognize that Service Dogs performing public-access work must be behaviorally and physically sound. SDCs carefully evaluate dogs selected for this rigorous work and refer to meaningful standards, including those delineated in the SDC program.
  3. SDCs recognize that Service Dogs must not exhibit aggressive, threatening, or other potentially unsafe behavior. SDCs will not train a dog for service work if they are aware that the dog has also been trained for protection work.
  4. SDCs acknowledge that Service Dogs must be adequately and appropriately trained and they carefully prepare dogs for this work. SDCs recognize that the initial Service Dog training process typically takes approximately 24 months.  Thereafter, regular and frequent maintenance training is required for the duration of the dog’s career.
  5. While SDCs may offer some education, consultation and training services online or remotely, SDCs recognize the limitations of this type of work.  When working with Service Dog teams or teams in training, SDCs provide the vast majority of their training services in person. All evaluations/assessments and public access training are conducted in person.

An SDC’s Code of Ethics

Client Protections

  1. SDCs provide professional services to clients without discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or national origin.  
  2. SDCs respect the boundaries of their expertise. SDCs consult with healthcare providers (e.g., doctors, therapists, and rehabilitation professionals) when appropriate, for example, in the selection of Service Dog tasks.
  3. SDCs respect clients’ privacy. They do not share confidential information without the clients’ expressed written consent.

Dog Protections

  1. SDCs use dog training methods that emphasize rewarding desired behaviors and management to prevent unwanted behavior. They do not use or recommend aversive training tools or techniques, including, but not limited to, electronic (shock) collars, choke chains, prong collars or other pet correction tools.
  2. SDCs consider and provide for the behavioral, emotional and physical needs of dogs in their work. They consider dogs’ welfare in all aspects of training and in selecting Service Dog tasks that are appropriate for the dog.
  3. SDCs educate clients on indications of stress in dogs and the importance of daily environmental enrichment, play, quiet rest and unstructured downtime for Service Dogs.  
  4. SDCs respect the boundaries of their expertise. SDCs consult with and refer to veterinarians, veterinary behaviorists and other qualified experts when appropriate.

Public Protections

SDCs respect the rights of business owners and the public. SDCs consider the needs of the public and business owners in selecting and preparing Service Dogs and their handlers for public-access work.

Professionalism

  1. SDCs exhibit professional conduct in their work. SDCs respect client confidentiality at all times. SDCs are cordial to colleagues in all forms of communication, including social media.
  2. SDCs remain knowledgeable of and abide by laws that relate to their work. This includes federal and state laws pertaining to Service Dogs and Service Dogs in training.
  3. SDCs take reasonable measures for the safety of clients, dogs and the public.
  4. SDCs avoid making claims about Service Dogs’ abilities, benefits and training that have neither been supported nor substantiated by scientific research.
  5. SDCs show integrity in their business practices. They provide clients with accurate information on fees and do not guarantee training outcomes.

Service Dogs

Service Dogs are defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act as dogs that are specifically trained to help people with disabilities.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not the same as Service Dogs. Service Dogs are allowed in many places where ordinary pets are not permitted. For the most part, ESAs are not allowed in places where ordinary pets are not permitted.  However, ESAs are currently allowed in the cabin of an airplane and in some types of no-pet housing. 

As a Service Dog Coach (SDC), I provide the following services with regard to the above animals:

  • I provide guidance in selecting a puppy for service work
  • I coach people with disabilities to train their own dog to assist them as a Service Dog. I specialize in:  diabetic alert dogs, mobility assistance dogs, psychiatric Service Dogs and hearing dogs.  I accept clients for Service Dog training on a case by case basis
  • I provide guidance in selecting a puppy as an ESA for assistance with emotional support
  • I can help ESA’s be calm for air travel and teach good manners to enable them to live in no-pet housing

What SDCs Require

The Owner must:

  • be 18 years of age or older
  • have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act
  • have support from his/her licensed healthcare provider for use of a Service Dog
  • be able to attend training lessons for 1.5 to 2 years if starting with a puppy or for 6 months to 1 year if beginning with an already obedience-trained adult dog
  • be able to commit daily time to practicing with his/her dog between classes/lessons/appointments
  • be willing to wait until I evaluate his/her dog’s suitability and assist with the training of the necessary foundation skills before putting Service Dog identification on his/her dog and before taking his/her dog to places where ordinary pets are not permitted; and
  • realize that he/she may end up with a dog that can only help at home or in places ordinary pets are allowed. (Up to 50% of Service Dog candidates in programs are not able to complete training and work in places where ordinary pets are not permitted.)

 The Dog must:

  • be under 4 years of age, unless already possessing an obedience/CGC background, and physically healthy
  • be easily trained; (Although each dog is assessed as an individual, some breeds or mixes are more likely to have characteristics suitable for service work.)
  • have no history of aggression towards dogs, people and other animals
  • have no history of any serious behavioral problems such as fear or separation anxiety

An SDC’s Service Dog Training Process 

Step 1

Phone Appointment – I discuss the owner’s needs, identify tasks that would be helpful to train, review the dog’s behavioral history and provide training recommendations.  Prior to scheduling the owner’s phone appointment, he/she will need to complete and return the Service Dog Intake Form.  (Fee: $50)

Step 2

In-Person Evaluation – I look at how the dog responds to new situations and some minor stressors.  This allows me to see if it is appropriate to begin training the dog for service work.  (Fee: $150)

Step 3

Training – For puppies, the process usually takes 1.5 to 2 years, and for an obedience-trained adult dog, the process usually takes 6 months to 1 year.  Training may include group classes (Fee: $170 – $200 per 6-week session), day training and/or private lessons (Fee: $100 per session).  Progress check-ins and testing are required. (Fee: $50 each) 

Step 4

Follow-Up Support – I provide ongoing maintenance training and annual evaluations throughout the Service Dog’s working career. (Fee: $100 per session)

About Service Dog Coaches (SDCs)

Service Dog Coaches are uniquely qualified to work with people with disabilities who are committed to training their own Service Dogs. Service Dog training requires specific knowledge, skills and education that most pet dog trainers don’t have.  Partnering with the right Service Dog training professional is essential to the owner’s success.

  1. SDCs are accomplished professionals with years of training experience, a formal education in canine training and behavior and a track record of success.
  2. SDCs have completed an advanced, one-of-a-kind program that focuses on all facets of Service Dog training, including Service Dog laws, temperament selection, assistance task training, public-access training and working with people with disabilities.
  3. SDCs understand that the dog is so much more than a “tool.” SDCs follow a code of ethics and are committed to using science-based, positive training methods as recommended by the American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior.

What SDCs Believe About Service Dog Training and Evaluation

  1. SDCs recognize that some pet dogs are not suited for public-access work.  Some dogs who are not appropriate for public-access work may be trained to perform tasks to help people with disabilities in their homes. SDCs recognize that for some people with disabilities an “at home only” Service Dog may provide invaluable support.  
  2. SDCs recognize that Service Dogs performing public-access work must be behaviorally and physically sound. SDCs carefully evaluate dogs selected for this rigorous work and refer to meaningful standards, including those delineated in the SDC program.
  3. SDCs recognize that Service Dogs must not exhibit aggressive, threatening, or other potentially unsafe behavior. SDCs will not train a dog for service work if they are aware that the dog has also been trained for protection work.
  4. SDCs acknowledge that Service Dogs must be adequately and appropriately trained and they carefully prepare dogs for this work. SDCs recognize that the initial Service Dog training process typically takes approximately 24 months.  Thereafter, regular and frequent maintenance training is required for the duration of the dog’s career.
  5. While SDCs may offer some education, consultation and training services online or remotely, SDCs recognize the limitations of this type of work.  When working with Service Dog teams or teams in training, SDCs provide the vast majority of their training services in person. All evaluations/assessments and public access training are conducted in person.

An SDC’s Code of Ethics

Client Protections

  1. SDCs provide professional services to clients without discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or national origin.  
  2. SDCs respect the boundaries of their expertise. SDCs consult with healthcare providers (e.g., doctors, therapists, and rehabilitation professionals) when appropriate, for example, in the selection of Service Dog tasks.
  3. SDCs respect clients’ privacy. They do not share confidential information without the clients’ expressed written consent.

Dog Protections

  1. SDCs use dog training methods that emphasize rewarding desired behaviors and management to prevent unwanted behavior. They do not use or recommend aversive training tools or techniques, including, but not limited to, electronic (shock) collars, choke chains, prong collars or other pet correction tools.
  2. SDCs consider and provide for the behavioral, emotional and physical needs of dogs in their work. They consider dogs’ welfare in all aspects of training and in selecting Service Dog tasks that are appropriate for the dog.
  3. SDCs educate clients on indications of stress in dogs and the importance of daily environmental enrichment, play, quiet rest and unstructured downtime for Service Dogs.  
  4. SDCs respect the boundaries of their expertise. SDCs consult with and refer to veterinarians, veterinary behaviorists and other qualified experts when appropriate.

Public Protections

SDCs respect the rights of business owners and the public. SDCs consider the needs of the public and business owners in selecting and preparing Service Dogs and their handlers for public-access work.

Professionalism

  1. SDCs exhibit professional conduct in their work. SDCs respect client confidentiality at all times. SDCs are cordial to colleagues in all forms of communication, including social media.
  2. SDCs remain knowledgeable of and abide by laws that relate to their work. This includes federal and state laws pertaining to Service Dogs and Service Dogs in training.
  3. SDCs take reasonable measures for the safety of clients, dogs and the public.
  4. SDCs avoid making claims about Service Dogs’ abilities, benefits and training that have neither been supported nor substantiated by scientific research.
  5. SDCs show integrity in their business practices. They provide clients with accurate information on fees and do not guarantee training outcomes.

Service Dog Details