frequently asked questions (faq)
What is the difference between Emotional, Therapy and Service?
The difference between a Service Dog (SD), Therapy Dog (TD) and Emotional Support Animals (ESA) is most easily summed up as: SD have public access rights and are task trained, while TD and ESA do not have public access rights and are not task trained.
In Canada, SD and TD are recognized within the provincial and federal levels. They have organizations dedicated to their training and the services they provide to their communities. ESA are not recognized nor protected in Canada. They are essentially your well trained family pet!
SD are protected under provincial laws and have Public Access rights that allows them to assist their human handler in public so long as they are under control and have passed the Public access testing within their province.
How can I tell the difference between a Therapy and Service dog in public?
Both will be wearing equipment that will say either THERAPY or SERVICE. Service dogs will have additional patches that will say DO NOT PET / DO NOT DISTRACT. You will also notice that service dogs will be paying close attention to their handler as that is their job.
It is always best practice to ignore a dog in a vest that you see in public to be on the safe side.
What type of ID do qualified Service Dogs have?
In Alberta, dogs who have passed the qualification process receive a government issued photo identification of them and their handler. If you are a business you do have the right for ask for this identification. The card should clearly state the following information:
- Name of the handler and dog
- Photo of the handler and dog
- A validation number
- A date of expiration
Where are the rights of a service dog?
A qualified Service Dog has the right to enter all public areas including:
- restaurants
- hotels
- retail stores
- movie theatres
- golf courses
- schools
- pet-restricted apartments or condos
- hospitals
- taxis and buses
- places of worship
- all other public areas
Areas that they are not permitted are:
- food preparation areas
- sterile hospital areas such as operating rooms
- restricted access areas
How should the handler and service dog act while in public?
All handlers are responsible for:
- maintaining control of their dog at all times
- any damages caused by their service dog
- cleaning up or making arrangements to clean up if their service dog toilets in a public area
There are high expectations of service dogs while they are in public.
- Service dogs should not growl, bark aggressively, snap, bite, or lunge.
- If the service dog displays behaviours that are aggressive, damage property or are disruptive to other patrons, the service dog team can be asked to leave.