Dog ownership – Service Dogs vs Therapy Dogs

Many people use the terms “therapy dog” and “service dog” interchangeably, but there are major differences between the two.

What Is a Service Dog?

A service dog is specifically trained and helps disabled individuals perform tasks they cannot do for themselves. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) governs the use of service dogs in public places. A service dog will often wear a vest with the wording “please do not pet,” indicating that the dog is working. Persons with disabilities are permitted to take their service dogs into public places normally prohibited to dogs, such as on public transportation, in public buildings, stores, and restaurants. A service dog helps a person with a disability lead a more independent life.

In previous years, most people envisioned a service dog, often a German Shepherd, as a seeing eye dog. Today, a service dog can be of any breed and can be trained for various jobs such as, but not limited to, visual impairment, hearing impairment, mental disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), seizures, mobility impairment, and diabetes. Service dogs can enhance a person’s independence by helping with tasks such as pulling a wheelchair, opening doors, turning light switches on/off, picking up objects as small as a dime or possibly just being a loyal companion to help lower the stress level of its owner.

Jackie Sheridan-Moore, a Heartland Dog Club member, is currently training a service dog for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). According to Jackie, “I received the dog when he was 2-months old and will be training him until he is nearly 2.” She teaches him about 20 commands which include heel, come, leave it, quiet, jump in car, under chair and several more. Her biggest training activity is to ensure that when he is turned in to advanced specialized training that he will be socialized and well-behaved in every possible situation. He will need to have manners in restaurants, movies, churches, meetings, stores and with other animals. Jackie has been training dogs for the past 15 years.

What is a Therapy Dog?

Therapy dogs do not have federally granted legal access to the types of public areas afforded to service dogs. A therapy dog is there to be petted and provide comfort and affection to individuals at various places that request its visits. A therapy dog accompanies his/her owner and visits facilities such as hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, and schools. They might also visit people who have experienced a trauma in a disaster area. Therapy dogs even serve to help relieve stress with passengers at some airports and for college students taking finals at some universities. These dogs will often wear a vest or bandanna inscribed with the name of a therapy dog organization.

Mary Ellen Powrie of Sebring and a member of the Heartland Dog Club is the proud owner of Barney, a pure-bred Australian Shepherd. Mary Ellen says, “He goes straight to the elevator at the Palms to see one of his best buddies, Ann.”

He loves to visit people at the Palms and in the hospital and is never scared by wheel chairs or walkers. He just loves people.

Barney became a certified therapy dog in 2010 shortly after Mary Ellen adopted him. According to Mary Ellen, “Barney was found sitting on Highway 66 across from a ranch owned by a friend.” The friend took him in, but he started herding her horses, so she asked Mary Ellen if she would like to have him. Mary Ellen fell in love as soon as she saw his cute little black face and his wagging tiny stump for a tail. Mary Ellen says, “We started out with a basic obedience class and then started to make visits to long term care facilities. True therapy dogs are born, not made. They have to love people. Barney is known as Barney the Bear because of that face of his.” A short time later Barney was tested and accepted as a certified therapy dog. He has made a lot of people very happy!

The Heartland Dog Club of Florida offers Trick Training on April 10th and Obedience Training on April 12th at the Sun N Lake Elementary School beginning at 6 p.m.