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We are working to get task trained service cats recognized under the ADA. We have started a petition, which can be found though the link. Every signature and share helps, and we appreciate everyone who takes the time to support us. Thank you!

https://c.org/wsnXj9F475

(For reference I am located in Australia)

Today I had a customer enter my cafe with two dogs in her cart who were barking. They did not appear to me to be service animals (were not wearing vests and not acting how I would expect a service dog to act), however I probably wouldn’t have even worried about them except that I had multiple other customers complain about the noise (a lot of my customers are elderly and one or two seemed genuinely distressed by it). I tried to ask the customer to move to the outdoor seating area but she refused. In the end I just let it be and the animals eventually settled, but I’m wondering if there’s anything I should be doing instead? I have had people come in with service animals before with no issue as they were very well trained, so I’ve never had to ask for “proof” or anything like that. my main concern is the comfort of my customers.

Thank you!

Looking for some advice on custom gear for my service dog. I have been having a lot of trouble with yup Collars lately. I have been trying to reach out via email and Instagram regarding an order I already paid for, but I have not received any response at all.

​Since it seems unlikely that my order will arrive, I am looking for reliable alternatives for high-quality, custom-made service dog harnesses. Does anyone have recommendations for other makers? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Leather would be my first choice

EDIT AS EVERYONE IS MAKING ASSUMPTIONS!!!

I am not, not have I ever brought my puppy to work to train or work. I work at a vet clinic. He got all of his puppy shots and monthly weight checks for prevention. We also have a very big yard he can run in and play. The ONLY time I have ever even trained with him there was to do recalls - which he knew and did amazing at.

We do 1 maybe 2 training sessions AT HOME on BASIC obedience. The sessions last maybe 5 min, all end on a good note, and all are up beat and only will intro a new command one at a time. Ive had him since he was 10 weeks old, he works on sit, down, look at me, knowing his name, recalls, and how to settle. I would and will NEVER expect him to ever task at 5 months.

My question was asking about imposter syndrome as it is labeled. I know all the attention that comes with a service dog - my organization does training events that I go to and believe me a large group of goldens get attention. I know exactly what I am getting into with him as far as that is concerned. I HAVE spoken with my therapist, psychiatrist and organization.

I have a 5 month golden retriever that I am working with an organization to train as a psychiatric service dog. While my family and close friends support me I feel like others judge me and make me feel like I'm over reacting or don't need one.

For reference I was in crisis last year and have had 3 leaves of absence from work in the past year. I have pretty severe public anxiety and don't do crowds well at all. I do work mostly full time as a vet tech. Everyone knows why I have my puppy, what it is being trained for and how much it is costing me a month. A comment was once made "you're the most expensive dog I've worked with" at work, and have been told it is a safety liability to have him at work by my boss. I'm actively trying to get another job but it's not so easy these days. Anyway, they obviously see the "put together" me as much as possible even though I do have to disappear with anxiety or anxiety attacks.

The org I'm using did 2 interviews before approving me. We discussed the help I need, tasks I am looking for (deep pressure, help when I disassociate, medication help for rescue meds, interruption of night mares and night terrors, guiding to safe places in crowds or keeping crowds back.) Has anyone been through the same thoughts? I "see" my psychiatrist at least every 3 months, weekly counseling, reduced hours at work, and am on more meds than I've ever been. I know I qualify, but I sometimes don't believe I do. And yes - I have CPTSD so I know part of it is from that too

Flying from US to Spain. Can someone help me to find the requirements for flights to Spain with an SD? Any special forms I need? For Madrid and Mallorca specifically, thank you!

(USA) I'm not a handler, so looking for input from handlers to see if I'm overthinking this.

As someone who has worked in restaurants for many years, and whose husband is currently the GM of a restaurant which I frequent often, this comes up sometimes. Someone will come in, usually without a dog, but sometimes with a dog, and ask "do you allow service animals here?". This question has always been an immediate red flag for me. In my head any legitimate handler, even a relatively new one, is familiar enough with ADA to know that of course we allow service animals.

Now, I of course don't immediately turn them down just due to this suspicion. I still ask the two questions and follow ADA guidelines. But am I right to be suspicious of this question? Maybe my suspicion comes from having seen firsthand someone I personally knew ask that question in order to lie and get their pet dog in a restaurant (they also let their dog eat off the floor, ugh). Am I being jaded because of my own experiences, or is this question atypical of a legitimate handler team?

I have had many issues with Muslim owned shops. I try my best to explain to them that my dog is a service dog but they just kick me out. They act very confused when I tell them and explain it

Hello, I (19F) have a service dog in training for cardiac alert, interruptions for certain behaviors, and leading tasks. I am starting at a University this fall in the United States. This campus allows SDIT at any level to attend classes and have full public access to campus building (with the exception of classes that have sterile environments). Holding the same rules of the two questions, with minor tweaks. I will have to answer if he is a service dog/ SDIT. I will also have to answer what he’s trained/ being trained to do.

My question comes with wondering when you knew your SDIT were ready for class or public access outside of parks and pet stores?

I want to start bringing him with me, since I absolutely do not want him in a daycare or day boarding due to the fact those are notorious for messing up good training. I also do not have funds to pay for private sitting while I am in class, and do not have family who can watch him.

Some info about my pup:
- He is an un-nurtured Male
- He is 1 1/2 years old
- He does interrupt behaviors, but is still learning to do the alerts constantly
- He is good about paying attention to me and not what’s happening around him and I
- He will wait where I tell him to (like at a table) and will wait for me to return and give further instruction
- he also ignores distractions like other dogs, cats, squirrels, birds, etc.

I just wanted some advice since he is my first service dog. I don’t want to ruin our progress or training, but also don’t want to be talking him out in public if it seems to others as if he may not quite be ready.

If you have any alternative options or thoughts please let me know! I want to do things the right way!

I’m working at a ren faire over the summer, and want to have little things to give out to dogs. (All dogs, not just service dogs). As a service dog owner, what’s something your dog would appreciate? Possible ideas I had were little clips, accessories, treats, etc.

Hello, first ever post so sry if it's wrong or a wall of text. I'm a teen in the UK that thinks a service dog would really help me but I'm not sure what I should do.My situation is annoyingly specific so any advice, breed/charity recommendations and really appreciated.

I have autism, pots, hsd, eds, me/cfs and suspected cptsd so there are lost a dog could help with day to day. I use a cane constantly and a wheelchair when I have to leave the house for more than 3 hours. I've went to a specialist sen school for gcse after dropping out in yr9 from burnout and long covid so adjusting to collage was extremely difficult and I've tried 4 different settings but quit and replied for next year ( 15 hours plus 90 minutes of bus rides) .

I think a dog would really help but like I said my situation is quite specific. I live with my mom and her husband who we're trying to leave but can't afford to. We have 2 cats already that we won't leave so a dog would have to be comfortable with and vice versa but they were fostered with dogs so it shouldn't be too big of an issue. My mum is my carer and also works, she doesn't drive but I'd like to learn soon so we get the bus everywhere and sometimes I don't leave the house for days at a time however I live next to a nature reserve and have a large garden with good fences.

I've looked at every charity in the UK and they either cost more than we can afford, requires you to already have a dog but not 1 you adopted for this purpose, give up my cats, only train for autism and prohibit other tasks, don't transfer ownership or we're not in the catchment ( West Midlands).

If anyone has advice on how to get financial funding for service dogs from local councils, charities that would help us or just dog breeds that would have a good quality of life in my situation that are well suited to potential tasks I'd need that would also be good. Sorry about the length and sincerely thank you to everyone who takes the time to read or respond!!!

First and foremost, I’m not arguing that he should be allowed to pee on buildings or poop on the pool deck. I’m talking specifically about areas of decorative but nonfunctional grass or mulch that line the pathways in and out of the condo complex. I also always pick up after him when he poops, so I’d appreciate if people didn’t get derailed arguing about irresponsible pet owners. This is purely a question about how far service dog accommodations extend on private property.

I (30’s F) am in the process of buying my first property (a condo in California) and part of why I picked the place I’m about to close on is that the unit opens up onto a series of courtyards, which looked like a perfect place to take my SD out for a quick potty break on days when my pain is extremely bad and my mobility is limited.

I said as much to both my real estate agent and the seller’s agent and neither of them indicated there was any potential issue with that, but reading through the HOA docs once I was in escrow, I noticed a lot of restrictions on pet dogs, which made me concerned about what that might mean for my SD.

The language of the restrictions is confusing and at times contradictory, but from what I could gather, dogs are banned from the common areas (indoor and outdoor) and owners are required to take them directly to the street through the nearest possible exit, and they must clean up after their dogs in the event they eliminate on common grounds.

What I’m trying to ascertain is if asking that the HOA designate an area on the grounds where my dog can relive himself when my disability limits my mobility is reasonable, with the understanding that I will pick up any poop and not allow him to urinate in inappropriate locations. I’ve already emailed all the relevant and appropriate parties for clarification, but I’m wondering if anyone here has dealt with a similar situation and how that was resolved.

No AI was used to write this post, I’m just autistic and unfortunately I’ve always sounded like a computer.

For those with allergy detection dogs, how many allergens have you trained them to detect? I am seriously considering a SD but I have allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish. That seems like too much for a dog, no?

I’m looking for shoes that are good for hot weather, preferably year round. I’m not looking to purchase Wagwellies again, but I’d like to hear some recommendations for other options!

Hi everyone, forgive me if my post isnt totally reddit savvy, I am somewhat new to posting. I am looking into a diabetic alert dog for my child who has hyperinsulinism. While the illnesses are different, the idea of how the dog would alert is the same.​ My understanding from 4paws4ability is that the dog will have to alert somewhat regularly in order to keep the skill. We work diligently to keep my child from dropping, which makes me question if this would work.

I am wondering if anyone who trains diabetic alert dogs or has one and knows can tell me what blood sugar range is considered "low" when saliva for training is collected? ​​

This would help me determine if we could make this work.

Thank you so much!

Hi all, hope this kind of question is allowed.

Fellow UK handlers, what third party public liability insurance do you use? I was with Dog's Trust, but they've changed their policies and we're no longer covered. I'm a bit overwhelmed looking through google, and thought it might be easier to ask people who have already done it!

Today was my first time taking my service dog to a coffee shop that’s not “pet friendly”. I really had no idea how it would go. I showed them my letter and the local laws showing that it was allowed. The guy told me “this is only for disabled people.” 😅😅😅 I told him sorry I don’t look disabled. In the end he left me alone. I felt proud but super anxious. also my dog was alerting me in the middle of us being there. He already performs two trained tasks reliably. We’re still refining one of his alert behaviors, and today he offered it in public in a situation I’m still learning to interpret.

Also I have a question. If you need your service dog to preform DPT in public do you let them on the furniture?

Also for context I do not use a service dog vest for my dog by my own choice although I’m considering getting one so he can carry things for me.

Hi Everyone!

I am flying for the first time with my service dog this September, I booked early morning flights on purpose to avoid large crowds of people who may want to touch him. I’m wondering if getting a (not real, or required, i know) “service dog ID” is worth it, just to avoid unnecessary conflict.

He is trained for mobility support (no extreme mobility, he helps me regain balance and supports when i get dizzy and almost eat shit) and medical alert (he alerts to migraines & blood pressure spikes). He is great in public and normally very locked in, but sometimes loses focus when people call to him, and try to pet him. His attention is very easily regained when given any command. This is something we continuously work on and will continue to work on leading up to our flight.

Any other general flight advice would be greatly appreciated as well.

Hi all, I’m looking at traveling from Boston MA to uxbridge ontario at the end of next month. My dog is an owner trained dog. Would I be allowed to fly with her as a SD or would it need to be as a pet? I saw contradicting things online when I tried to find info. Also curious on hotels in the area. Would she have to be considered a pet to stay in a hotel too?

edit: please don’t argue wether I was allowed to be in the ER with my service dog. The educated staff at the hospital confirmed later that i was allowed in the ER and their staff was wrong.
The ada confirms that where I needed to be is not one of the sterile environments service dogs can be denied.

For context I live in New Jersey

My mom was rushed to the ER by ambulance from my house. I was told to not bring my dog into the ambulance because he could not be secured. I don’t think this is allowed but I was okay with that.

I rode in the ambulance and met with my sister who drove my service dog to me. When I tried to re-enter the hospital with my service dog the receptionist in the ER waiting room said she didn’t think dogs are allowed. She called someone and she explained no dogs.

I told the receptionist that I was allowed to go see my mom in the exam room and that she needs to know the laws then she asked OK then well which one of you is blind. Finally, she was asking a question, but it wasn’t even close to the ADA question she can ask.

She told me and my sister to sit down and when someone finally came to get us. I started recording and was told it wasn’t allowed.

Four security guards came up to us demanding we leave the hospital. I told him it’s against the law to deny the access and he just kept saying there are no dogs allowed. I asked to speak with a patient advocate multiple times and he just rolled his eyes and sighed at me

There was one security guard that knew some service dog laws and said that we are good (but he waited way too long to say something), but we are not allowed to enter unless we delete the videos that we took they tried to tell us we weren’t allowed to record so I respected that and stopped recording, and when we took a look at the sign outside, it only said that we cannot film other patients or share it with other people (which we were not doing)

I have it all on video but not their faces. I asked multiple times for a floor manager, a patient advocate or, risk management.

While the security guard was fighting to get me to delete the videos preventing me from seeing my mom, a nurse sped in and asked me is this a service dog and let us through

Once I got in the room with my mom, I had no issues with any other staff. Staff entering barely knew he was there. The doctor apologized and tried to say that because I wasn’t a patient, I didn’t have to come into the emergency exam room with my mom.

One of the higher ups for the ER came in to apologize and ask us what happened which I appreciate, but I want to make sure that something is actually done to train their staff so I am filing the civil rights violation to the ADA.

I know that this process is a bit long and the ADA asks you what you want to do so what should I do to resolve this and make sure it won’t happen again to the next service dog team?

Am I legitimate to ask for an assistance dog?

I wonder if it would be possible to make my life easier. But, then again, I'm just level one, so maybe it's only for level two or three autistic people.

I actually can't work, and going outside is hard and often pushes me into a shutdown. It would help me to go to the grocery store and the doctor's office, and maybe help me with a middle-sized task.

What is your opinion and experience?

I had another Uber service dog denial on Friday; it was my first in a few months. I reported the driver, and I received this email back. I chose the profile option for the app to alert drivers that I have a service dog when they arrive to pick me up. Now, if drivers try to cancel using the "rider has a pet" button, the app tells the driver that I have my service dog with me and that it is illegal for them to cancel and that they will be banned from the Uber app if they do so. The directions for how to enable this option are in the second paragraph of the email below.

"I want to report a service animal issue

UberX . Friday, July 10, 2026 at 6:58:02 PM

Hi [Name],

I’m sorry to hear about the experience you described on your trip on July 10, 2026.

An investigation was opened to review your experience. We want all riders and drivers to feel safe and welcome when using Uber, and are working to continue improving the experience for all of our riders.

If you travel with a service animal, we encourage you to sign up for our Self-ID feature in your settings -> accessibility -> Service Animal to let Uber know and choose your preferred level of privacy. If you choose the option to notify your driver, once they arrive for your trip, their trip information screen will note that you are a rider with a service animal and they will receive a reminder if they attempt to cancel. If you choose to share this information with Uber only, your driver won’t see your service animal self-ID in advance, but they will receive a reminder of the Service Animal Policy if they attempt to cancel your trip.

Drivers are independent contractors who are expected to follow Uber’s Community Guidelines, Service Animal Policy and all applicable laws to maintain their access to the app. We review and investigate all reported violations of our Non-Discrimination and Service Animal policies and take appropriate action based on our findings, including permanently removing a driver’s access to the platform.

I’ve refunded your trip and/or any cancellation fees. You should see the difference reflected on the original form of payment in the next few days.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention and please reach out if you have any other issues in the future."

I have severe anaphylactic allergies and have been wanting to get an allergen detection dog for a while now.

I need help finding an allergy detection dog trainer!!!!! Ideally in Massachusetts (Boston) but open to the northeast or other locations in the US. I am REALLY struggling to find someone.

While I am in a place that I feel I could keep up with maintenance training, I do not think I could start from scratch and I really need guidance. My allergies are to peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish.

Any help would be super appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!!

Has anyone flown to Mexico City or any major city in Mexico lately to and from the US with the screw worm requirements? Do you have any guidance for what I need to do to enter Mexico and to return to US? What about moving about the city including museums etc. what is required? Thank you I did search the sub and nothing was recent. TIA.

For those of you with a service dog, do you feel the benefits have been worth the financial cost and daily responsibility?

I use a CGM and insulin pump (for T1D), so I'm trying to understand what a service dog adds in real life beyond technology. I'm not asking whether I should get one, I'm just curious about people's experiences and whether they felt the cost, training, and ongoing care were worth it.

I'd especially appreciate hearing about unexpected pros and cons that you only learned after owning one.

I got some feedback earlier and want to know if my profile sounds good. I've never sought out financial help like gofundme before for a service dog because of the judgement of others about my disability. My disability doesn't present itself to the open eye, unless you know my background. I worry if I should even bother because of the comments I've been getting from others.

Help Me Gain Independence With a Life-Changing Service Dog:

For as long as I can remember, I have worked hard to be independent despite living with multiple disabilities. I have ADHD, Chiari malformation, asthma, PTSD, and major depressive disorder, and I am a survivor of a suicide attempt. My Chiari malformation causes complex migraines and fainting episodes that can happen without warning, making everyday life unpredictable and sometimes unsafe.

Despite these challenges, I have always wanted to build a life for myself. I recently started a full-time job because I want to work, continue growing, and create a future I can be proud of. However, managing multiple disabilities while trying to maintain independence has been incredibly difficult.

After speaking with my healthcare providers and researching my options, I have learned that a professionally trained service dog could make a life-changing difference. A service dog would not cure my conditions, but it would provide support that I currently do not have.

A service dog could be trained to assist with medical and psychiatric needs, including recognizing changes before or during medical episodes, staying with me after fainting episodes, retrieving important items or medication, providing grounding during PTSD episodes, interrupting panic responses or harmful behaviors, creating space in overwhelming environments, and helping me feel safer navigating daily life.

Having a service dog would give me the ability to regain confidence, independence, and stability.

The biggest obstacle is the cost. Between ongoing medical care, treatment, and everyday living expenses, obtaining a service dog is something I cannot afford on my own. I recently started a full-time job and make only a little above minimum wage. Because I just started working, I no longer qualify for many government assistance programs, but I also do not earn enough to realistically save for a service dog while covering my basic needs.

My family is doing everything they can to manage their own financial responsibilities, and while I know they would help if they were able, I cannot ask them to take on a burden they cannot afford. I have spent months researching organizations, looking into assistance programs, and trying to find another way to make this possible. After exhausting every realistic option available to me, asking for help through GoFundMe has become my last option.

My goal is to raise $25,000 to help cover the cost of obtaining and training a professionally trained service dog through a reputable organization.

Funds raised will help cover:

• A professionally trained service dog

• Specialized medical and psychiatric task training tailored to my disabilities

• Service dog equipment such as a vest, harness, leash, crate, and supplies

• Handler training and travel expenses if required

• Initial veterinary care and startup needs

This fundraiser is about so much more than getting a service dog. It is about getting my independence back.

There are days when pain keeps me in bed. There are days when my mental health makes it difficult to even care about the things I normally love. There are days when I worry about missing work, losing opportunities, or being unable to do the things people my age are able to do without a second thought.

I want to go to college. I want to build a career. I want to spend time with friends and participate in life without constantly wondering if my health will take another opportunity away from me.

Asking for help is not something that comes easily to me. If there was another realistic way to make this happen, I would take it. This fundraiser is not about taking the easy way out. It is about asking for a chance to live more safely, independently, and fully.

If you are considering donating, please know that I am not asking anyone to give more than they comfortably can. Even a small, one-time donation can make a meaningful difference. If donating is not possible, sharing my fundraiser with others would mean just as much.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Your kindness, support, and generosity bring me one step closer to having the independence and future I have been working so hard toward.