Service Dog

The rights and responsibilities respecting the training, handling and public access of service dog in the USA are generally construed in accordance with three sets of law: with respect to aviation and housing, there are two sets of law. This project however is primarily concerned with service dog access and service dog training with respect to Title III and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, (the "ADA" or "the Act".)

In accordance with Department of Justice(DOJ) interpretation an animal performs a service dog task or "work", in contrast to a therapy dog, a pet dog or an emotional support animal. These latter designations apply to dogs who primarily benefit by their mere presence, or by untrained, instinctive behaviors. (Therapy dogs may receive light training in tolerating stangers and navigating crowded hospital rooms but their primary function is to give and receive affectionate touch.) The DOJ has published influence guidance on service dog policy and in these publications they merely indicate that a service animal must be trained in work or task. However, some private interpretation has contended, without legal justification, a relatively arbitrary requirement of "three" tasks; others have contended that only one such task, or one form of work, be designated. One of the objectives of this Wikversity project will be to establish which of these interpretations is legally imperative, and to clarify what constitutes a task under the meaning of the Act.

What this project is.

Wikiversity welcomes parallel projects on any given topic and these may take different point of views or be conceived in entirely different terms. Feel free to initiate a parallel, subsidiary or supererogatory Wikiversity entity. This may include a Portal, a School or an independent research project of your own. The current project is primarily focused on secondary literature survey and analysis thereof in conjunction with owner-training of Lillihammer, a nine year old pit bull who is a licensed assistance animal.

What this project is not

This project cannot train your dog or provide medical, veterinary or legal advice. It is important to work with local professionals if you need or utilize a service dog. Wikimedia Foundation projects operate under freedom of speech guidelines in English-speaking and other countries and has great latitude in discussing matters of law and science. However, such discussion is scholarly or, at best, applied science and, as far as this project is concerned, is not intended to provide a how-to. Service dog training in the USA is by law specific to animal and handler, and, as such, no one-size-fits-all approach is appropriate. This said, now feel free to BE BOLD and push the edge of human, and canine, knowledge. And if you feel moved to include dolphin training or work with Capuchin monkeys, go to it!

Lillihammer, our project mascot

This project is research in owner-training. If used to edify your own training please note this disclaimer: The project cannot offer legal or veterinary advice but can offer Wikiversitarian peer review of original research and a structured general This developmental curricula is not legal advice it is built on a case history of Wlhelmina v. Lillihammer, a bluenose Staffordshire Terrier. She does not mind being a case history in exchange for chicken jerky and lots of love.

The protocols of Wikiversity preclude advocacy except as may be consistent with research and education goal. In the interest of full disclosure and for your use you may refer to the following website K9 Alliance www.causes.com/k9 but the opinions expressed are those of Lillihammer's human, other individuals and not those of the Wikipedia Foundation or its affiliates.

The DOJ may accept public comments at some future date regarding service dog policy and the opinions developed via these internet entities may indeed be considered therein.

When editing please be considerate of persons with disabilities and contemporary dog training theory and practice.The point of view developed here is furtherance of ethical research in canine assistance technology to benefit people with disabilities in a manner consistent with Wikiversity policies and practices.

Resources

Research Project: Training the PTSD Dog

This Wikiversity project develops research on a specific type of service dog training which is at the cutting edge, training for PTSD and related disorders. The research consists of both secondary literature survey as well as a hands on training project of Lillihammer, a Staffordshire Terrier who celebrates her 9th birthday September 30th.

Focus of research

Department of Justice languages supports two key concepts in creditable service dog tasking for handler distress, decompensation or dystonia. To wit, recognition and response. This project currently has a two part document available for review and comment. Part One is linked at Service Dog Part two at this point may be found at Training for Anxiety Disorders PTSD .

Wikiversity projects with relevant content

Motivation_and_emotion

Wikimedia Foundation resources

Outside Resources

DOJ PUBLICATIONS

Americans with Disabilities Act 42 U.S.C. § 12131 et seq. ("ADA")

ADA Requirements, US. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm Originally issued: July 12, 2011, Last updated: February 24, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA, US. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html

Texas Bar Association panel discussion with professional service dog trainer and disabled veteran. New legislation is discussed.

Older (2009) video from California Hotel and Restaurant Association with appearance by US Senator Bob Dole.