Any size or breed of dog can be an emotional support or service dog, emotional support dogs do not have to be professionally-trained to perform any task. Service dogs can be trained by their owners or in any other manner the owner desires.
Not Registered Yet?
Choosing the Right Service Dog Trainer
Finding the right trainer can make a big difference in developing a confident, reliable service dog. Look for a trainer who has experience with service dogs, understands task training and public behavior, uses humane training methods, and is willing to work with you and your dog’s individual needs.
The choice of how your dog is trained is up to you as the dog owner. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you are not required to use a professional dog trainer or a professional training program. You can choose to work with a professional trainer, participate in a training program, or train your own service dog. There is no requirement that a service dog be trained by a particular organization or certified trainer.
Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Dogs
Service dogs and emotional support dogs have different roles and legal requirements. A service dog must be individually trained to perform work or tasks directly related to a person's disability. The ADA does not require that training to be provided by a professional trainer.
An emotional support dog (ESA) does not have to be specially trained to perform disability-related tasks. An ESA provides comfort and emotional support through its presence and companionship. However, ESAs do not have the same public-access rights as service dogs under the ADA.
Keep Your Dog's Information Organized
While the ADA does not require service dog registration, certification, or an ID card, keeping your dog's information and records organized can be extremely useful. A well-prepared profile can provide a convenient place to keep important information such as vaccination records, medical documents, microchip information, training records, photos, and other documentation.
A dog ID card and digital profile can make it easier to keep important information available when you need it. Having your dog's records organized in one place provides added convenience and peace of mind for responsible dog owners.
You choose the training path. You choose the documentation that works for you. Whether you work with a professional trainer or train your dog yourself, keeping your dog's important records organized can help you stay prepared and keep everything in one convenient place.
Important: Registration or documentation does not create service-dog or ESA rights under federal law. Those rights are determined by the applicable legal requirements.
Not Registered Yet?
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Scotch Plains, New Jersey, 07076, United States
Southampton Township, New Jersey, 08088, United States
Bonita, California, 91902, United States
Dothan, Alabama, United States
Newtown, Connecticut, 06470, United States
Houston, Texas, United States
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Houston, Texas, United States
Cumming, Georgia, United States
Saint Peter, Minnesota, 56082, United States
Santa Paula, California, United States
City of New York, New York, 10471, United States
Sevierville, Tennessee, United States
Newtown, Connecticut, United States
Berkley, Michigan, 48072, United States
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States
Pelham, Alabama, 35124, United States
Portland, Oregon, 97211, United States
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Rosharon, Texas, United States
Asheville, North Carolina, United States
Highlands Ranch, Colorado, 80129, United States
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Stacie Baumbarger, Program Director
Sylvania, Ohio, 43560, United States
Tucson, Arizona, 85710, United States
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Bradenton, Florida, United States
Monument, Colorado, 80132, United States
Asheville, North Carolina, United States
City of New York, New York, United States
Greer, South Carolina, United States
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
City of New York, New York, United States
East Greenwich, Rhode Island, 02818, United States
Reynoldsburg, Ohio, 43068, United States
Okaloosa County, Florida, 32578, United States
Cypress, Texas, 77429, United States
Huachuca City, Arizona, 85616, United States
Harmony Township, New Jersey, United States
Georgetown, Texas, 78626, United States
Martinsburg, West Virginia, United States
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Darien, Illinois, 60561, United States
Lexington, Nebraska, 68850, United States
Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Hearing, Service
Other dogs trained: Seizure, Diabetes, Autism. Will consider use of person’s own dog.
Beaverton, Oregon, United States
Seattle, Washington, United States
San Francisco, California, United States
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Novato, California, United States
Grants Pass, Oregon, 97527, United States
Delta, Colorado, 81416, United States
Houston, Texas, United States
Los Angeles, California, 91403, United States
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Burson, California, 95225, United States
Palm Coast, Florida, United States
Milford, Delaware, United States
Claremont, New Hampshire, United States
Conroe, Texas, United States
Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States
Lake Ridge, Virginia, 22125, United States
Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Pike Road, Alabama, 36064, United States
Berthoud, Colorado, 80513, United States
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Walnut Creek, California, United States
Alameda, California, United States
Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey, 07054, United States
Village of Wappingers Falls, New York, United States
Eugene, Oregon, United States
Lutz, Florida, 33549, United States
Denver, Colorado, United States
Stellarton, Nova Scotia, B0K 1S0, Canada
Piscataway Township, New Jersey, United States
Arlington County, Virginia, United States
Frederick, Maryland, United States
Milton, Georgia, 30004, United States
Long Beach, California, United States
Boston, Massachusetts, 02130, United States
Kistler, West Virginia, 25623, United States
Tomball, Texas, United States
Asheville, North Carolina, United States
Saco, Maine, 04072, United States
Walnut Creek, California, United States
Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States
Lawrence, Kansas, United States
Portland, Oregon, United States
Worthington, Ohio, 43235, United States
Shady Side, Maryland, 20764, United States
Menlo Park, California, 94025, United States
Houston, Texas, United States
Town of Patterson, New York, 12563, United States
Plano, Texas, United States
Davidsonville, Maryland, 21035, United States
Culver City, California, 90232, United States
Cicero, Illinois, 60804, United States
Cedar Park, Texas, United States
Tacoma, Washington, United States
Bethesda, Maryland, 22814, United States
Kansas City, Missouri, 64114, United States
North Bend, Washington, 98045, United States
Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87102, United States
Willow Park, Texas, United States
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Woodland Park, Colorado, 80863, United States
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Woodston, Kansas, 67675, United States
Ellington, Connecticut, 06029, United States
Springfield Township, Pennsylvania, 19118, United States
Norristown, Pennsylvania, 19401, United States
Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania, 19406, United States
Woodbury, Minnesota, United States
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
San Jose, California, United States
San Francisco, California, United States
MI, Michigan, United States
Wauconda, Illinois, United States
Portland, Oregon, United States
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
City of New York, New York, United States
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Santa Clarita, California, 91350, United States
Mankato, Minnesota, 56001, United States
Salinas, California, United States
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Largo, Florida, United States
City of Troy, New York, United States
Novato, California, United States
Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States
Lake Forest, California, United States
Sterling, Kansas, United States
Metamora, Michigan, United States
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada
Naperville, Illinois, United States
Sooke, British Columbia, Canada
Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
West Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Westminster, Colorado, United States
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Denver, Colorado, United States
Wayne, Illinois, 60184, United States
Durango, Colorado, United States
Boulder, Colorado, 80302, United States
Sacramento, California, United States
Clinton Township, Michigan, United States
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Columbus, Ohio, United States
Portland, Oregon, United States
Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States
Area F (Horsefly/Likely/150 Mile House), British Columbia, V0K 2G0, Canada
Damascus, Maryland, 20872, United States
Ripon, Wisconsin, 54971, United States
Phoenix, ARizona, 85029, United States
Escondido, California, United States
Philomath, Oregon, 97370, United States
Canal Winchester, Ohio, 43110, United States
Portland, Oregon, United States
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 17575, United States
Dixon, California, 95620, United States
San Diego, California, United States
Ramona, California, 92065, United States
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Columbus, Ohio, United States
Hackensack, New Jersey, 07601, United States
Town of Manlius, New York, United States
League City, Texas, 77573, United States
Palisades Park, New Jersey, 07650, United States
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Austin, Texas, United States
Urbana, Illinois, 61802, United States
Milwaukie, Oregon, 97222, United States
Walpole, Massachusetts, United States
Cowarts, Alabama, 36321, United States
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Simi Valley, California, United States