Last updated: May 30, 2016
Note: All links going to other websites will open in the same window. Use the Back button to return to our site.
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."
Traveling with service animals?
- 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 Federation of the Blind – National Association of Guide Dog Users (US-based)
- Service animal resources – information from the assistivetech.net: National Public Website on Assistive Technology, Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA).
- TSA service animal travel recommendations – Recommendations about service animals when traveling from the US Transport Security Administration.
- Traveling with Pets
- Animal Travel and Transport by the American Veterinary Medical Association: 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 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
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.. Standards:
- Ethics for Clients
- Standards for Assistance Dog Partners
- Ethics for Dogs
- Standards for Assistance Dogs in Public
- Training Standards for Guide Dogs
- Training Standards for Hearing Dogs
- Training Standards for Service Dogs
- Training Standards for Facility Dogs
- Training Standards for Therapy Dogs Standards are being developed
- Assistive Pooches: Service Dogs
- Canadian Guide Dogs For The Blind / Chiens Guides Canadiens Pour Aveugles
- 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.
- Kansas Specialty Dog Service, Inc.
- They Said What? (overheard conversations with the public on service dogs)
- WorkingDogs article archives—Service Dogs from Working Dogs Cyberzine
- Therapeutic Horses
- Adaptive Riding – Horse
- Hippotherapy and Therapeutic/Adaptive Riding "Which one is best for my child?" by The Children’s TherAplay Foundation, Inc.
- 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.