What Is a Service Dog?
Psychiatric service dogs are working animals that do tasks for their owners.
Service dogs for anxiety are trained specifically to help people with mental health conditions in their daily lives.
Verywell / Hilary Allison
Only dogs and miniature horses are approved by the ADA to be service animals.
No other animal can be a service animal.
Service Dog vs.
Emotional Support Animal
A service dog for anxiety is not the same as an emotional support animal.
Emotional support animals are not protected under the ADA.
You will need to check the laws about emotional support animals in the state where you live.
Verywell / Hilary Allison
However, a service dog can’t just be trained for any task.
According to the ADA, the tasks must be directly related to the owner’s disability.
Another study looked into how service dogs were able to provide these benefits.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
How Much Does a Service Dog for Anxiety Cost?
You may have to pay even more if your animal needs to learn specific skills.
Certain protected groups may also have access to special funding for service dogs.
There is also no requirement to buy a service dog from one of these organizations.
You might decide to have them trained by experts or undertake the training on your own.
Can I Train My Own Service Dog for Anxiety?
If you want to have a service dog for anxiety, the first step is training.
The ADA does not require that service animals undergo a professional service dog training program.
That said, there are many of these programs available.
Working with an expert helps ensure that your dog is highly and effectively trained.
How Do I Start Training My Dog?
This training step is essential because it is what qualifies the dog to be a service animal.
Dog trainers use certain techniques to teach a dog to perform tasks.
How Do I Get My Service Dog for Anxiety Certified?
The ADA does not require that service dogs receive any documented certification.
Some states, counties, colleges, and universities offer voluntary registration programs, but they are optional.
There are also many organizations that sell and provide service animal registration or certifications.
Which Breed Is Best to Train as a Service Dog for Anxiety?
Summary
A service dog for anxiety is not the same as an emotional support animal.
A Word From Verywell
Not all disabilities are visible.
Thankfully the ADA is inclusive of psychiatric service animals for people with mental health conditions.
Service dogs for anxiety are just one example of how these specially trained animals can help disabled people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Research has shown that dogs can sense when humans are anxious.
Many service dog breeding and training organizations offer financial aid and provide service dogs for free.
The ADA has no restrictions on breeds of dogs that can be service animals.
However, trainers and experts have identified certain breeds as being more easily trained than others.
Service dogs are working animals.
Petting a service dog can distract them from their work and may even harm their owner.
Many service dogs wear special harnesses identifying them as service animals.
However, this is not a requirement.
U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.Frequently asked questions about service animals and the ADA.
Americans with Disabilities Act.Service animals.
Americans with Disabilities Act National web link.Service animals and emotional support animals.
2019;6:23. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00023
RSPCA.I am feeling very anxious, will this affect my dog too?.
