Did you know that service animals are not always dogs. They can include monkeys, cats, and small horses!
There is not a comprehensive list of what types of animals can be service animals. Animals, like people, have different temperaments, limitations, skills, and abilities. Thus, different types and breeds of animals may be trained to perform specific tasks. Matching a particular animal's skills and abilities to the tasks that need to be performed can be an important factor for a person with a disability when selecting a service animal.
Often, phrases are coined to describe the type of impairment or task a particular animal is assisting with-such as "signal dog," "hearing cat," "assistance monkey," "guide horse," and "seizure response dog."
National Association of Guide Dog Users Comments on Silent Hybrid Cars
Traveling with service animals?
- The Pet Travel Policies for North America’s Top Airlines: Which Pets Are Allowed to Fly and How
- Dog Friendly Get tips and specifics for your travel destination. They also recommend parks and animal-friendly hotels.
- Traveling Internationally with a Guide Dog or Service Animal from MIUSA Mobility International
- National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) is a proud division of the National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest organization of the blind in the United States. (NAGDU) is an organization for blind people who currently use guide dogs as mobility tools, those considering getting a guide dog, or those who want to learn more about the use of such dogs. We provide a forum for those interested in the guide dog movement to discuss common issues and to increase opportunities for those who have chosen to use a guide dog for independent travel. NAGDU works to promote sound practices in the training and use of such dogs for mobility by offering input and advice to guide dog training programs. We are also committed to educating business owners, law enforcement officers, and the general public about state and federal laws that give disabled people the right to be accompanied by their guide dogs.
- Service Animal Resource Hub Information from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network provides information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- TSA service animal travel recommendations Recommendations about service animals when traveling from the US Transport Security Administration.
- Inform the TSA officer that you are traveling with a service animal. You may provide the officer with the TSA notification card: Individuals with Disabilities and Medical Conditions or medical documentation to describe your condition.
- You and your service dog/animal will be screened by a walk-through metal detector. You may walk through together or you may lead the animal through separately on a leash.
- If you opt not to be screened by the walk-through metal detector, you will undergo a pat-down.
- If the metal detector alarms, you and/or your service dog/animal will undergo additional screening, including a pat-down.
- During the additional screening, do not make contact with the dog (other than holding the leash) until a TSA officer has completed inspection of your dog/animal. TSA will not separate you from your service animal. If you have concerns about your screening, you can ask to speak with a supervisor or passenger support specialist at any point during the process.
- Service dog collars, harnesses, leashes, backpacks, vests and other items are subject to screening. Items that are necessary to maintain control of the service dog or indicate that the service dog is on duty do not require removal to be screened.
- If you need to relieve your service dog and must exit the security checkpoint, you and the service dog will need to go through the screening process again. You may request to move to the front of the line upon your return.
- Medication for service animals must go through X-ray or inspection screening. Please separate medications and inform the TSA officer that you carry these items for your service dog.
- TSA tips for traveling with pets:
- Traveling with Pets
- Animal Travel and Transport by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): Planning to transport your pets or other animals within the U.S. or internationally? If so, you will likely need a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI).
- People and Pets Dog Airlines LLC started by a 13-year old boy after a traumatic experience with his pet. "People and Pets Dog Airlines transports dogs and cats to any airport in the contiguous United States. We fly two weeks a month, we're safer and more convenient than cargo holds, and we're easier than driving! Pets are constantly monitored by our crewmembers, and our pilots can contact vets on the ground in case of any problems." As of March 1, 2015, they are also operating free flights with their charity program PAWfund.
- Traveling with Your Pet FAQ by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
- PETA: Traveling With Companion Animals
- What to Know When Traveling With Your Pet, The New York Times
- United Airlines Bans Long List of Dog Breeds After a Number of Pet Deaths and Mix-Ups United Airlines will only accept cats and dogs for air travel and ban any short-nosed or snub-nosed dogs such as Pugs and French Bulldogs.
- 8 Most Dog Friendly Airlines and Their Pet Policies
- The Best Airlines for Pet Travel
- Airlines That Allow Large Dogs | USA Today
Additional links about service animals
- Service Dogs in Wikipedia
- Fidos for Freedom Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for people in the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan community by providing specially trained hearing dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs. Fidos also educates the public about individuals with disabilities and about the benefits of assistance dogs and therapy dogs and the work that these specially trained dogs do for individuals with disabilities, children with reading difficulties, and patients in health care facilities.
- Assistance Dogs International, Inc.. The global authority in the service dogs industry. Standards
- Canadian Guide Dogs For The Blind / Chiens Guides Canadiens Pour Aveugles Updated
- Epilepsy Ontario Service Dogs [Canada]
- Guide Dogs of America Guide Dogs of America provides guide dogs and instruction in their use, free of charge, to blind and visually impaired men and women from the United States and Canada.
- Guide Dogs for the Blind Association [United Kingdom]
- Guide Dogs For The Blind (GDB) Guide Dogs for the Blind is more than an industry-leading guide dog school; we are a passionate community that serves the visually impaired. With exceptional client services and a robust network of trainers, puppy raisers, donors and volunteers, we prepare highly qualified guide dogs to serve and empower individuals who are blind or have low vision. All of our services are provided free of charge; we receive no government funding. Updated
- Kansas Specialty Dog Service, Inc. changing lives one dog at a time.
- Working Dog Breeds from K9 Research Lab
- WorkingDog Magazine
- Therapeutic Horses
- Horses Adaptive Riding & Therapy (HART) provides adaptive and recreational riding to individuals with special needs. Based in Oregon's mid-Willamette Valley, we focus on creating a supportive, inclusive and compassionate environment for our clients, staff (two-legged and four-legged) and volunteers. Updated
- Great and Small Therapeutic Riding "When I ride, I soar." Great and Small provides Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) to children and adults of all ages affected by a range of physical, developmental, emotional, and learning disabilities. Through a supportive and therapeutic engagement with horses we strengthen and empower our riders, helping them develop their full potential. Great and Small is a partner with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission at the Rickman Farm Horse Park in Boyds, Maryland. Their students come from the Montgomery County Public Schools, several private schools, and the local community at large. Great and Small is also proud to serve as a pre-approved Student Service Learning Site for the Montgomery County Public Schools.
Great and Small believes that the essential qualities of power and sensitivity embodied in the horse can strengthen and empower persons of all ages and abilities.
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- Hippotherapy and Therapeutic/Adaptive Riding "Which one is best for my child?" by The Children's TherAplay Foundation, Inc. Through hippotherapy, specially-trained physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech/language pathologists apply the movement, rhythm, and repetition of the horse's movement as a treatment strategy to help patients achieve therapeutic goals. Using different combinations of patterns, speeds, and riding postures, highly-trained therapists are able to provide precisely the sensory and neurological input each child will benefit from most. Therapeutic / adaptive riding is a recreational activity that has been adapted for those with special needs and tend to be related to riding skills building confidence and relationships, and emotional well-being.
- Horses Healing Maryland's Military A coalition of licensed Maryland stables offering horsemanship and therapeutic programs to Veterans and their families. Their Program Directory page contains a list of stables that are licensed through the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB), and provide equine assisted services for active-duty members, Veterans and their families. New
- Maryland Therapeutic Riding The Natural Healing and Therapeutic Power of Horses. New
- Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program
- Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH International), a federally-registered 501(c3) nonprofit, was formed in 1969 as the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association to promote equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) for individuals with special needs.
- Talisman Therapeutic Riding is a non-profit organization offering a variety of programs to create therapeutic opportunities while providing exposure to an environment of well-being and learning.
Zachary and Gay. Photo Credit: Talisman Therapeutic Riding. At Talisman, we believe in the transformative, healing power of horses and our natural environment. We serve, empower all, and lead by example with compassion, dignity, and inclusivity. New
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