top of page

Service Dog, ESA, or Therapy Dog?

Service Dog
  • Works for individuals with disabilities other than blindness or deafness 

  • Trained to perform a wide variety of tasks including 

    • Pulling a wheelchair 

    • Bracing

    • Retrieving

    • Alerting to a medical crisis

  • Has public access rights

Image by Ralph (Ravi) Kayden
Emotional Support Animal
  • Provides emotional support to an individual with a mental health condition or emotional disorder 

  • Does not perform tasks to mitigate a person’s disability

  • Not covered under the American Disability Act 

  • Does not have public access rights  

Dog Lover
Therapy Dog
  • A pet dog trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to those it interacts with 

  • Does not have public access rights 

Smart Dog
bottom of page