Argumentative Essay: Pet Dogs Vs. Service Dogs

Not all service dogs are allowed in all public places. This paper explains all the reasons

There are 3 different types of service dogs people can have: Emotional Support Animals, Therapy Animals, and Service Animals. Emotional Support Animals have one task and that is to provide comfort and support, emotionally, to someone who needs it and has a documented health condition. Therapy Animals are registered through an agency and their purpose is to provide therapeutic value to those who need it. Service animals are trained to perform tasks the owner simply cannot do on their own, guiding blind people, detecting seizures, helping people who have lost legs or arms.

Both however, are commonly called service dogs since it is their purpose to provide a service. These dogs are used everywhere to benefit people with disabilities, yet many in society do not understand the dog’s situation. The public should realize the need and effectiveness of therapy/service dogs; more specifically, what types of disabilities they can help with, where they can help, how they help, and who makes it possible.

This policy is a proposed policy to govern service dogs within the district. In Fry v. Napoleon Community Schools, there was no policy or guidelines for implementing service dogs as an accommodation for students. IDEA requires public schools to provide all children with disabilities a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE). Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requires schools to make appropriate modifications to the educational environment for children with

Service dogs and prescription dogs are often used interchangeably when in fact there is a big difference in between the two types. According to the National Service Animal Registry (NSAR), Service dogs are generally used for people with physical disability and are trained to perform major life tasks. These animals are NOT pets. The Department

Finally, in 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act defined a service dog as “any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.” Prior to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the service dog had a poorly defined job description, except that of a Seeing Eye dog. Although the guide dog for the blind had become accepted and established in 1929, the use and training of a service dog for most other roles only began to emerge in the 1960’s. Even though other service dogs began training in the 1900s’ the first diabetic alert dog did not begin training until 2003

For many years, people have used dogs as service animals. Today, there are many different animals used to help people with different needs. Whether someone has a disability or someone needs a guide, there is a service animal for almost anyone in need. Wouldn’t it be incredible if someone walked into school or work with a potbelly pig? From miniature horses to monkeys to potbelly pigs, service animals can help people in many ways.

Often, anxiety disorders, depression, agoraphobia, and other emotional impairments are treated with medication and extensive counseling. Those suffering physical, mental, sensory, and intellectual disabilities commonly are treated with service animals. Individuals with a psychiatric disability, by the ADA, do not qualify for service dogs, even if they come with several benefits. I believe that anybody suffering any kind of disability, provided they are diagnosed with a severe case, should qualify for a service animal. They encourage getting out of the house, could potentially decrease the number of number of suicides, and defeat the long-term effects of antidepressants.

At first sight, service dogs look like any other dog. They are furry. They walk on all fours. They have a tail. But they have many differences from other dogs. Service dogs are well behaved and are obedient. They wear clothing that no other dog wears such as a vest to make people aware that they are service dogs. Service dogs perform tasks that no other dogs can do, like paying for meals and carrying objects for their owners, sometimes in a vest compartment like a backpack. Service dogs are unlike other dogs because they are trained to do tasks that human beings normally do, but can’t because of some disability. Service dogs help their owners navigate the world they live in by assisting their owners in overcoming day to day

Imagine life in darkness. Imagine feeling around unstably, reaching out for the wall, the door, the person in front of you. Imagine the fear of not knowing where you are or if you are in danger. Now, imagine that you have a loyal, trustworthy guide. You are no longer afraid. You no longer worry about finding your way. You are safe in the hands of a close friend who is with you all times of the day. This companion is not a human however, it is a loyal guide dog. Guide dogs around the world assist humans who have disabilities. Guide dogs are not the only animals who help humans though. Service animals, therapy animals, and even pets all can assist and affect humans in many ways. For years animals have aided in the medical field and new ways for animals to help humans continue to be discovered today. Animals positively affect human health by benefiting humans with their general well being, with physical disabilities, and aiding in the recovery of veterans.

The Different Kinds of Service Animals Some people think that only dogs can be service animals. “A common misperception is that only dogs can be trained to help people with a disability – and those dogs must be Golden Retrievers or a similar breed” (Turnbull). Research shows that a lot of other animals can be trained to be service animals. It is a normal conception that dogs are the only animal eligible to be a service animal but research shows other animals are capable of this.

Service dogs help some see, some with their balance, such in the case with Marjalissa's husband, some with their blood sugars, seizures, etc. Optimally, helping to keep their handlers safe and away from harm. I found it interesting that service dogs can be trained and with those who have various types of disabilities. I understood that there were alert dogs for those who have diabetes and who were blind or were unable to see properly. I was unaware of how many disabilities that service dogs can be trained for.

When people think of animals the first thought that usually comes to mind is “cat” or “dog”. For Animal Services Workers it is all animals. Wild or domestic. Big or Small. The job tasks of an Animal Services Worker varies between the environment they work at.

Work animals, including dogs and horses, have been around for centuries, used for working on the farm or for transportation. In Mark Ostermeier’s article he explains that after World War I, people started training animals, specifically dogs, to escort veterans with disabilities. The 1960’s, is when the first formalized dog training schools started to emerge in America. As service dogs became more prevalent in public places, the public did not understand the training involved for these dogs to do their job. Due to the lack of knowledge of the purpose of a service animal, business owners, corporations and airlines prevented Americans with service dogs from gaining access to public places.

There are between 45 to 55 million dogs per household in America (American Humane Association 2012). Furthermore, according to a national survey, the majority of dog owners chose to get a dog for the companionship as the major reason for having a dog (American Animal Hospital Association, 2004). After all, dogs are nonjudgmental, give unconditional love, can be trusted with our most intimate feelings and emotions, and are highly intelligent. These dog characteristics can significantly enhance the lives of thousands of youth and adults, especially those with disabilities and/or those who live in continuing care facilities. There are approximately 20,000 service dogs in the U.S., which includes 10,000 guide dogs (American Humane Association 2012)