Assistance regarding assistance dogs

Copied from another well informed writer referring to the post of an individual demanding their dog be allowed in a local restaurant.

There are different kinds of “assistance dogs.” Some are fully certified; others are not.

As a past vice-president of a therapy dog organization and a service dog handler, I just wanted to make sure folks are aware that “registrations” and “certifications” obtained online are scams as they are not legally recognized.

The only recognized certification in BC is issued under the BC Guide and Service Dog act. There are no legal certifications for therapy dogs or emotional support dogs in BC.

Therapy dogs are defined as dogs that visit multiple people in places like hospitals, extended care facilities and youth centres. The only certification comes from the organization the owner/dog team volunteers with and only gives the team permission to participate in the programs offered by that organization.

Emotional Support Animals are pets that provide emotional support to their owner simply by their presence. That said, it’s a bit of a grey area as ESA are not officially recognized in Canada, and yet may be considered as a reasonable accommodation for mental health under human rights laws.

However, the accommodation doesn’t give public access rights. It only allows for the individual to keep the animal in housing that typically doesn’t allow pets. In this case the only documentation needed would be a letter from the care provider responsible for managing the individuals mental health. The documentation must be obtained and the accommodation approved before the dog is brought into housing.

The final category of assistance animals that support mental health are psychiatric service dogs. These dogs are trained to provide assistance to their handlers through tasks that mitigate a disability. There is a very high minimum standard for behaviour and training that a service dog must meet to accompany their handler in public. Certification in BC requires that the dog be trained by a recognized organization or pass a public access test. Certification is optional but the training to minimum standards is not. Again, online certification is just a scam and doesn’t give a team any rights to public access in BC.

As for guide dogs for those hearing impaired or visually challenged that is a different level of training altogether.

Visit the takenote.ca HOME page for a colourful display of hundreds of other blogs which may interest or inspire you