Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions received by the National Service Dog Center^®.

Where to Get Help

See the information on Service Dog Access.

Where can I find a service dog?

Refer to the list of service dog trainers and training programs that asked to be listed on our web site. This list is not a complete list of every service dog trainer or training program, nor is it a guarantee of quality. The entry for each trainer or program includes information of what kind of dogs they train (e.g., guide, hearing, mobility, etc.) and what services they offer (e.g., train for multiple disabilities, train own animal, train handler, test and provide ID, etc.).

Note: Delta Society has a list of service dog trainers and training programs that asked to be listed on our web site. This list is not a complete list of every service dog trainer or training program, nor is it a guarantee of quality.

We also suggest you read Information for People Wanting a Service Dog and Facts You Should Know About Service Dogs. You must be an educated consumer when looking for a service dog.

How much does a service dog cost?

Trainer and acquisition fees may range from no cost to thousands of dollars. Each service dog trainer or training program sets their own fees.

Some people choose to look for sponsorship for their service dog from local organizations such as businesses, churches, and civic groups. By helping sponsor a service dog, local organizations give back to their community, much like sponsoring a youth sports team.

The Assistance Dog United Campaign (ADUC) raises funds in support of the assistance dog community. ADUC accepts voucher applications for new assistance dog partnerships. Vouchers are issued once a year and the decision of to whom to give the vouchers is based on disability and financial needs. Contact ADUC at 800-284-3647 or info@assistancedogunitedcampaign.org.

How do I find a service dog trainer to train my own dog?

Refer to the list of service dog trainers and training programs and look for those that provide the service "Train Own Animal." These trainers and programs will train your own dog to be a service dog, if it is appropriate.

Note: Delta Society has a list of service dog trainers and training programs that asked to be listed on our web site. This list is not a complete list of every service dog trainer or training program, nor is it a guarantee of quality.

Can I train my own dog to be a service dog?

One of the big challenges for people training service dogs is getting the dog adequately trained for public access. Not all dogs have the temperament to handle the stress of working in public. Remember that you must meet the ADA definition of having a "disability" and, to be considered a service dog, your dog must be trained to perform tasks directly related to your disability.

The Minimum Standards for Service Dogs documents the recommended characteristics and minimum set of skills required of all service dogs. The Minimum Standards also address the health and safety of the public, handler, and dog.

Refer to the list of service dog trainers and training programs and look under Services Provided for "Train Handler." These trainers and programs will help you train your own dog to be a service dog, if it is appropriate.  Trainers and programs that do not list this service will not train your own dog.

Note: Delta Society has a list of service dog trainers and training programs that asked to be listed on our web site. This list is not a complete list of every service dog trainer or training program, nor is it a guarantee of quality. If you have already trained your own dog to be your service dog, some organizations will test you and your dog to see if you meet their criteria for a service dog team. Refer to the list of service dog trainers and training programs and look for those that provide the service "Test and Provide ID."Teamwork, A Dog Training Manual for People with Physical Disabilities, Book One: Basic Obedience and Teamwork II, A Dog Training Manual for People with Physical Disabilities (Service Exercises) (both available from Dogwise.com) are books written for people with disabilities to teach them to train their own dog to perform service dog mobility skills. Teamwork, Book One teaches basic commands such as down, down stay, wait, and leave it. Teamwork II goes into skills such as retrieve, under, brace, light pull, and others. You may also contact Dogwise.com at 800-776-2662.

Assistance Dogs International has developed a Public Access Test that reflects what they feel a service dog team should know to be safe in public.

How do I certify my service dog?

The ADA does not require service animals to be "certified" (see Facts You Should Know About Service Dogs). This type of assessment and identification is not a legal requirement under the ADA and other federal non-discrimination laws, but is preferred by some handlers.

Some service dog trainers and programs evaluate the dogs they train and provide the handlers with some type of identification card.

Some trainers will test dogs they have not trained and provide the owner with identification cards. Refer to the list of service dog trainers and training programs and look for those that provide the service "Test and Provide ID."

Note: Delta Society has a list of service dog trainers and training programs that asked to be listed on our web site. This list is not a complete list of every service dog trainer or training program, nor is it a guarantee of quality.Some areas provide a special license for service dogs. The animal licensing department in your state or county should be able to tell you the requirements for getting a special service dog tag.

How do I find a trainer to help me select a service dog?

Refer to the list of service dog trainers and training programs and look for those that provide the service "Help Select." These trainers and programs will help you select a dog to be trained as your service dog.

Note: Delta Society has a list of service dog trainers and training programs that asked to be listed on our web site. This list is not a complete list of every service dog trainer or training program, nor is it a guarantee of quality.

My landlord won’t let me have a service dog – what do I do?

Read Service Animals in Housing and Where to Get Help.

Another excellent source of information about service animals in housing and pets in housing can be found in the booklet Best Friends for Life - Humane Housing for Animals and People from the Doris Day Animal League in Washington, DC. Contact them at 202-546-1761.

How can I donate my puppy to a service dog organization?

Refer to the list of service dog trainers and training programs and look for those that provide the service "Take Donations." These trainers and programs will take donations of appropriate dogs.

Note: Delta Society has a list of service dog trainers and training programs that asked to be listed on our web site. This list is not a complete list of every service dog trainer or training program, nor is it a guarantee of quality.

Delta Society does not train service dogs and, therefore, we do not accept donated dogs. We work to accomplish our mission by providing information about service dogs on our web site.

How do I become a service dog trainer?

If you are looking for training to be a service dog trainer, you might consider the following resources:

Another approach to becoming a service dog trainer is to contact service dog training organizations, and ask if they have an apprenticeship program. Refer to the list of service dog trainers and training programs and look for those thatprovide the service "Apprenticeship." These trainers and programs will have apprenticeship programs.

Note: Delta Society has a list of service dog trainers and training programs that asked to be listed on our web site. This list is not a complete list of every service dog trainer or training program, nor is it a guarantee of quality.

The Board of Directors of Delta Society has voted to place the principal focus of Delta Society on improving its Pet Partners^® and Animal-Assisted Therapy programs and to continue its Service Dog Education System (SDES) subject to financial constraints. The Board has also voted to form an Assessment Task Force to explore securing third-party reimbursement and funding for service dogs. Further development of SDES courses will occur when financial constraints permit.

Where can I buy a vest, or other service dog supplies, for my service dog?

Product suppliers help people with service dogs obtain necessary equipment and supplies. Please contact the supplier directly for prices and other information.

I was refused entry to a public place with my service dog – what do I do?

Read Where to get Help and "Access Denied – Now What?"

What are the differences between a service animal, therapy animal, companion animal, and social/therapy animal?

See the definitions related to service dogs.

How does a dog qualify to be a psychiatric service dog?

The National Service Dog Center receives many questions about psychiatric service dogs. Generally, the questions are related to what requirements a dog must meet to be classified as a psychiatric service dog.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990, (ADA), defines service animal as:

"any animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability."

The ADA defines a disability as:

"a mental or physical condition which substantially limits a major life activity such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working."

To be considered a service dog, the dog must be trained to perform tasks directly related to the person's disability.

“Comforting" or "giving love", although clinically proven to be beneficial for people, would not be acknowledged as a trained "task" by the Department of Justice, which enforces the ADA. Examples of trained tasks performed by psychiatric service dogs can be found at www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html.