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Service animals

• More information on service animals

Service animals do some of the things that people with disabilities cannot do for themselves. A service animal may:

• Guide the blind (for instance, a Seeing Eye dog)
• Alert people with hearing problems to sounds
• Pull wheelchairs
• Carry and pick up things for people who have a hard time moving around
• Respond to medical crises, such as seizures caused by epilepsy

Most service animals are dogs. But other animals can also be trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities. For instance, miniature horses are trained to guide the blind and pull wheelchairs. Cats can be trained to pick up dropped items and alert the hearing impaired to important noises.

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More information on service animals

Explore other publications and websites

• Animal-Assisted Activities/Therapy 101 (Copyright © Delta Society) — This publication explains the different ways animals can be used in therapy, and also describes the difference between therapy animals and service animals.
  http://www.deltasociety.org/Page.aspx?pid=317
• Consumer Considerations (Copyright © Delta Society) — Finding a service animal that is right for you takes time and careful consideration. This website discusses some factors to consider when looking for a service animal, such as training and certification.
  http://www.deltasociety.org/Page.aspx?pid=305
• Etiquette and Guide Dogs (Copyright © Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind) — This publication lists several guidelines people must follow when in the presence of a guide dog to allow for the safety of the dog and its handler.
  http://www.guidedog.org/Content.aspx?id=1416
• Frequently Asked Questions About Service Animals (Copyright © Delta Society) — This web page answers commonly asked questions about service animals, providing information about access to service animals, service animal qualifications, and how you can safely travel with your service animal.
  http://www.deltasociety.org/Page.aspx?pid=304
• Service Animals — This publication provides special information travelers should know when accompanied by a service animal.
  http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1056.shtm
• Users of Service Animals — This publication provides links to several resources about creating an emergency plan. Preparing your family and service animal is key.
  http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov/ppp/animals.htm

Connect with other organizations

• Canine Companions for Independence
  http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.3978475/
• Delta Society
  http://www.deltasociety.org/
• Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans
  http://www.neads.org/index.shtml
• Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc.
  http://www.guidedog.org/
• Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
  http://www.guidedogs.com/site/PageServer
• Guiding Eyes for the Blind
  http://www.guidingeyes.org/site/PageServer
• Leader Dogs for the Blind
  http://www.leaderdog.org/index.php
• The Seeing Eye Inc.
  http://www.seeingeye.org/

Content last updated September 22, 2009.

Resources last updated September 22, 2009.

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