| Service Dogs -
Guide Dogs - Hearing Dogs - Assistance Dogs -
Therapy Dogs
Animal Assisted
Therapy Dogs are NOT Service Dogs! Dogs that have
been specially trained and paired with an individual
with a disability are "Assistance Dogs". There are
several different types of "Assistance Dogs" - all
determined by the type of work that they do.
Service Dogs, Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Seizure
Alert Dogs are examples of "Assistance Dogs". These
"Assistance Dogs" work to MITIGATE that person's
disability, increasing their independence, safety,
and mobility by doing such tasks as retrieving
dropped or needed objects; helping a fallen person
back to their feet; transporting medication and
other supplies; pulling wheelchairs; opening doors
and/or escorting people to the animals' partner;
alerting their partner to sounds in their
environment, etc. Public Access is guaranteed by
the ADA for Assistance Dogs. Federal law does not
currently provide for the Therapy Animals to enter
(have public access) public places that have a “no
pets” policy.
Therapy dogs may
assist a client temporarily with any of the above;
while an Assistance Dog would do these, and many
more tasks for their partner, on a permanent basis.
For more information on Assistance Dogs, contact
Merilee Kelley at
WorkingPaws@comcast.net or Mark Sumonka at
WaggingTailsAcademy@comcast.net
Facility dogs are
those which live permanently in a facility and are
trained by staff to do many of the same things that
a Therapy Dog does. These dogs need to be specially
trained and temperament tested. For assistance
setting up a Facility Dog program, Contact Dee
Mathues at
information@therapyarc.org
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