Heather Marcoux tackles the growing diversity of service dog breeds and their roles. For a growing number of individuals with specific physical, neurological or mental health needs, different types of service dogs are invaluable partners in day-to-day life.
Legally, most of these types of service dogs are welcome in places where pet dogs are not. Unfortunately, the practice of non-disabled people passing off pet dogs as different types of service dogs has eroded the rights of real assistance dog handlers, especially those with invisible disabilities.
Therapy dogs and emotional support dogs, are not classified as types of service dogs as they’re not trained to perform a specific task to help their handlers. In most jurisdictions, these kinds of dogs are not afforded the same privileges as service dogs, shares Marcoux.
Source: Dogster, April 12, 2019. Link. Take a look at 10 types of service dogs, from the well-known to the newly developed:
- Guide dogs
- Hearing dogs
- Mobility assist dogs
- Diabetic alert dogs
- Seizure alert dogs
- Seizure response dogs
- Psychiatric service dogs
- Autism support dogs
- FASD dogs (fetal alcohol spectrum disorders)
- Allergy detection dogs
INSIGHTS: Retail as well as veterinary clinic personnel need to keep abreast of service dog category changes. This article is a good starting point. Local trade organizations would benefit from a veterinary team member sharing or presenting this information, as well.