Seeing a service dog in public can be pretty amazing fordog lovers out there. Aside from being affectionate andfiercely loyal, they also help individuals overcome their disabilities and live normal lives. For example, some are great guides, helping their blind handler or someone who uses a wheelchairget around. Others are considered seizure support animals andalert people if their owner is experiencing an epileptic seizure. Many people, however, still have some misconceptions about what they do and how they should be treated in the community.

Here are answers to some of thequestions you’ve always wanted to ask about service dogs:

Do They Need Certification?

After receiving your furry pal’s service dog registration, you can take them virtually anywhere. Service pets aren’t required to carry around their paperwork, but it can come in handy for their owners. When in public, business owners and staff are only allowed to ask two questions:is the animal a service dog, and what type of tasksare they trained to do?The American Disability Association (ADA) prohibits people fromasking additional questions, especially those about an individual’s disability.

Are They The Same as Therapy or Emotional Support Animals (ESA)?

Unlike emotional support animals that provide companionship and help people with mood-related disorders such as anxiety or depression, service dogs are trained to do tasks for people with disabilities. ESAs don’t have rights under the ADA, while service dogs do. If you know a disabled personwho has a helping dog that isn’t officially registered, help them get started with aservice dog registry. The steps towards getting registration are easy, and the benefits available through the ADA make this well worth the effort.

Can You Pet Them?

Service dogs are more than just companions and walking buddies. They’re trained working animals who help people with disabilitiesmanage their daily-to-day lives. Training them to help their humans and handle potentially stressful situations takes a lot of time and effort.They may be cute and fluffy, but if you see a service animal, it’s always best to ask for permission first – but don’t be too upset if they say no. Service dogs have really important jobs requiring a lot, if not most, of their attention.

Are you thinking about getting a service dog? If you or someone you know wants to have their very own assistance animal, consider asking experts online about service dog registration, along with the specificsregarding qualification.