Types of Working Dogs

Let’s talk all about different working dogs in the United States. As many people know, dogs have worked along humans for centuries. In our current age we’ve created countless new jobs for dogs to have. Below we’ll review these different dogs, and their rights.

An Emotional Support Dog is a pet dog that is prescribed by a doctor as part of an individual's treatment plan.

These dogs provide their handler with emotional support primarily at home. These dogs have no training requirements. Emotional supports dogs to do not have access to non pet-friendly spaces. However, they are covered under the FHA for housing rights.

Service Dogs* are highly trained dogs which are task trained to assist a single handler in the mitigation of their disability. These dogs may be trained by their handler or by an organization. Service dogs can be for a variety of disabilities from visible to invisible illness, conditions, and diagnosis.

Service Dogs have the right to accompany their handler in public places as outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. They do not require certification or I.D.s. Many websites may try to sell I.D.s or Certificates, but these websites are all scams. The United States does not recognize any certificates or I.D.s for Service Dogs.

Service Dogs are also not required to wear any identifying gear (vests, harnesses,etc), equipment, or colors as outlined in the ADA.

*Service Dogs May also be called: Guide Dogs, Leader Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Helper Dogs, Skilled Companions, or Assistance Dogs)

Future Service Dogs are dogs in training to one day become a Service Dog. These dogs are handled by organizations, puppy raisers, and/or owner trainers.

Future Service Dogs only have public access based upon state laws. Not all states recognize or allow Future Service Dogs to have rights in non pet-friendly places.

Since the Americans with Disabilities Act does not cover Future Service Dogs, people must rely on State Laws. State Laws may dictate what these dogs wear, their age, their ability to be in public, and more.

Future Service Dogs are often called Service Dogs in Training, SDit, or Assistance Dogs in Training.

Therapy Dogs are dogs that provide comfort to a variety of people. These dogs are allowed in certain public settings only when invited by that location prior. Usually these dogs come with their group or organization they are apart of. Therapy Dogs may or may not be trained in therapy-cues.

Many therapy dog teams belong to volunteer therapy dog organizations or groups, and are generally trained by their handler. There are very few stand alone Therapy Dogs that are able to work without being apart of an organization. These dogs may not work every day.

Therapy dogs are required to be confident, well mannered, and enjoy interacting with people of all ages. Some of these dogs may be trained in cues to bring further comfort to people, but not all.

At-Home Service Dogs are similar to Service Dogs & have similar requirements. At-Home Service Dogs are task trained & mitigate their handlers disability primarily in the home environment. However, these dogs are generally not used or complaint in public/ non pet-friendly spaces.

Service Dogs retired due to age & some medical reasons may continue to work as At-Home Service Dogs depending on the nature of their retirement.

Facility Dogs are dogs that provide comfort to a variety of people, and are similar to Therapy Dogs. These dogs are primarily trained by organizations, and placed with a handler. They are usually trained a variety of therapy/job related cues.

Facility Dogs accompany the handler to their job each day to assist people at the handler's workplace. Facility dogs are generally placed at courtrooms, hospitals, therapy offices, and more.

These dogs must be able to work frequently & are often with their handler throughout the work day. They must be able to deal with high stress situations & emotions from different people & environments.

Some other types of working dogs include police dogs, search & rescue, and conservation dogs (and much more!).

These dogs are generally trained to do a specific job related to the handler's job or a specific need (like conservation).

Need help training your working dog? Helping Howls can help! Contact us today to get started.