Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals
What's Difference?
The key difference between a service animal and an emotional support animal (ESA) lies in their purpose and training: service animals are trained to perform specific tasks related to their handler's disability, while ESAs provide comfort and companionship but don't require specialized training.
Service Animals
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is specifically trained to perform tasks or do work for a person with a disability, whether physical, intellectual, or emotional.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
ESAs provide emotional support and comfort to individuals with disabilities, but they are not trained to perform specific tasks.
Training
Service animals undergo rigorous training to perform specific tasks that directly address their handler's disability, such as guiding a blind person, alerting someone to a seizure, or retrieving medication.
ESAs do not require specialized training and their presence alone is what provides therapeutic benefit to their owner.
Public Access
Service animals have broad public access rights under the ADA, meaning they can accompany their handlers in most public places, even where pets are typically not allowed.
ESAs do not have the same public access rights as service animals. They are not protected under the ADA and may not be allowed in public places where pets are restricted.
What Makes Us Unique?
PDS Dog is dedicated to providing certified service dogs to individuals with physical or mental health disabilities. These highly trained dogs are placed with handlers who have been officially recognized as "disabled" by the U.S. Government or the State of their residency, ensuring that they receive the support and assistance they need to survive with their disability. Our K9 companions are all service dogs, with most having an additional certification as an ESA.
How can you be matched with a Dog?
Seek Physical or Mental Health Treatment
At PTS Dog, we require veterans and first responders seeking a service K9 to be enrolled and under a medical doctor's care for a life altering event(s).
Obtain Certification as Disabled
To be eligible for one of our certified service dogs, individuals must have a disability that is documented and diagnosed by a licensed medical doctor. This can include a range of physical disabilities, as well as mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other emotional disorders. The certification process ensures t
To be eligible for one of our certified service dogs, individuals must have a disability that is documented and diagnosed by a licensed medical doctor. This can include a range of physical disabilities, as well as mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other emotional disorders. The certification process ensures that each service dog is specifically trained to meet the unique needs of their handler.
Schedule a Virtual Meeting
Schedule a Virtual Meeting
Our team is made up of dedicated professionals who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of veterans and first responders.
Although not required, we prefer if you join the virtual meeting with your medical provider or have them join. We want to understand your disability and ensure a service K9 is suitable for you. The h
Our team is made up of dedicated professionals who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of veterans and first responders.
Although not required, we prefer if you join the virtual meeting with your medical provider or have them join. We want to understand your disability and ensure a service K9 is suitable for you. The head of our training division, the lead trainer, and a patient with similar background or condition will attend. This handler can answer any questions you may have from an end user's perspective.
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