Should There Be Some Form of Testing Requirement for Service Dogs?
This topic is often controversial, but we believe it is one worth discussing openly and respectfully. We get asked a lot by service dog handlers and the standard public’s knowledge about why they feel we should or shouldn’t go in that direction as a whole.
Service dogs are not simply pets that provide comfort. They are highly trained working animals that serve as medical aids for individuals with disabilities. At the same time, they are still living beings with emotions, instincts, limitations and independent thought. Because of this unique role, it is believed there should be some form of standardized public access testing requirement for service dogs, such as a Public Access Test (PAT), to help ensure the safety and success of both handlers and the public.
Having the legal right to use a service dog and having practical access to a well trained service dog are not always the same thing. Many accommodations and privileges in society come with requirements, qualifications or ongoing responsibilities because they impact the safety and well being of others. For example, individuals have the right to drive, but they must also obtain a driver’s license, registration and insurance because operating a vehicle affects everyone sharing the road. While a service dog is certainly not the same as a vehicle, it’s believed there is value in establishing a baseline standard for dogs working in public environments.
We understand that this viewpoint may be discouraging or frustrating for some people as it is to us, particularly those who already face financial, geographic or accessibility barriers. This newsletter’s intention is not to gatekeep disability accommodations or minimize the life changing impact service dogs can have. Rather, concerns seem to be coming from more than just the standard public, but from professionals in the field, other handlers and businesses that serve the public.
Over the years, we have witnessed both incredible success stories and unfortunate failures. Many owner trained teams are successful and It’s absolutely believed that owner training can work when it is approached with proper education, support and realistic expectations. However, we have also seen many situations where individuals with little experience in canine behavior, learning theory or public access training or just training in general attempt to train a service dog entirely on their own. Many of which who have never been able to train a pet dog basic obedience that sticks for its entire lifetime.
Often, the challenges are not due to a lack of dedication. Most people genuinely want to do the right thing. The problem is that service dog training is one of the most advanced forms of dog training and many handlers simply do not know what they do not know. Without experienced guidance, small issues can go unnoticed until they become significant problems. Reactivity, fearfulness, environmental stress and poor public access skills are among the most common reasons dogs wash out of service work.
In some cases, individuals are understandably eager to find relief from their disability and move through the training process too quickly. Others may select a prospect dog without fully understanding the importance of genetics, temperament, drive, health, and long term suitability. The result can be emotional heartbreak, repeated washouts and substantial financial loss. We’ve personally encountered owner trainers who have gone through multiple prospect dogs. We recently saw one handler that has attempted 5 dogs (prospects) in just 6 months or within a year. They are failing because the moment a behavior occurs they’re not familiar with they tend to make it worse and they replace them with the fastest cheapest dog they can find within a short period of time because they lacked access to reliable guidance and education during the selection and training process. We’ve also seen impatience as well when handlers are going through dogs like candy. Instead of saving up for a well bred and proven dog that’s been health tested, they grab the first ‘free’ dog from a friend or grabbed a dog that was “abandoned.” Training a service dog should be taken seriously to the point of handlers wanting what’s best for their dogs by doing their due diligence in researching breeds and hiring a professional to help on their journey instead of just rehoming a dog to get another a week later because they have no patience to just wait for the right dog to become theirs.
We personally need to have more honest conversations about the financial realities of service dogs. Service dogs can be an incredible form of assistance, but they are also one of the most expensive forms of medical support available. Veterinary care, food, equipment, emergency expenses, travel, training and ongoing maintenance all represent significant financial commitments. Because of this, It’s believed the cost of a standardized evaluation or testing process should be viewed similarly to other necessary expenses associated with maintaining a working service dog.
The perspective of some professionals and the public is shaped by personal experience. One of our own service dog was severely attacked in public by a dog being represented as a service dog that was not prepared for public access. The attack resulted in devastating injuries, including nearly costing our dog her life and leaving her with permanent damage. In a matter of moments, thousands of hours of training, trust building and financial investment were impacted because an unsuitable dog was brought into an environment it was not prepared to navigate safely.
This discussion is not about restricting access. It’s about improving outcomes. We would like to see fewer dog attacks, fewer reactive incidents, fewer washed service dogs and greater confidence from businesses and the public when encountering legitimate service dog teams.
Would standardization solve every problem?
Certainly not. However, It’s believed it could help strengthen education, accountability and public safety while preserving the integrity of service work.
One question that often comes up is:
“Who would be qualified to administer such a test?”
My personal opinion is that trainers who are qualified to evaluate programs such as the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC), CGC Advanced, and CGC Urban programs could potentially serve as a foundation, especially if additional training specific to service dog public access standards were provided. While certifications alone do not determine competency, It’s believed that experience in service dog training and a thorough understanding of disability accommodations should be important considerations.
We also recognize that access to qualified trainers varies greatly depending on location. While virtual coaching and periodic travel for evaluations may be possible solutions for some teams, these realities raise important questions about accessibility that deserve thoughtful discussion as well along with the cost of such a requirement.
At the same time, businesses face their own challenges. While education is important, many companies experience high employee turnover and have limited resources for extensive training on disability law and service dog access. Organizations that advocate for disability rights play a valuable role in helping educate businesses, improve accessibility and create better experiences for everyone involved. This is part of why we took on the role of the Vice President of the Mayor’s Council for Person’s with Disabilities. To help disabled individuals in general in our home town to make a difference.
Ultimately, this article is intended to start a conversation, not an argument.
What are your thoughts?
Do you believe some form of standardized testing would improve public safety and service dog standards? If not, what alternatives do you think would help reduce the growing issues surrounding fraudulent service dogs, poorly trained dogs in public, and preventable service dog washouts?
We genuinely want to hear a variety of perspectives and solutions.
Please keep all comments respectful and constructive. Healthy disagreement is welcome but personal attacks, harassment, bullying, or hostile behavior toward other members or our company will not be tolerated and may result in comment removal. We are all adults and we encourage thoughtful discussion that focuses on ideas rather than individuals.
I agree with getting a service dog tested for CGC, CGC Community, CHC Urban, and PAT to provide certification that a service dog is trained! That way they could have a national registry for sevice dogs. And use the fine money from people who break the laws with interferance in the training of a service dog, a felony, and the fines collected from the fake service dogs to pay for the registry! Accountability is the only way to change the outcome of the fake service dogs or the respect that should be given to service dogs and their handlers!