Service Dogs vs. Therapy Dogs 

Dog's Downtown trains both Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs but it's important to note the difference! 

Service Dogs

Service Dogs 
- Are individually trained to perform tasks that mitigate their handler's disability
- Not encouraged to interact with other individuals when on duty 
​- Go everywhere with their handler
-Are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and must be allowed access to all public areas 
- Also protected by DOT's Air Carrier Access Act, DOJ/Fair Housing Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act which protect the rights of people with disabilities to be accompanied by the service animals

Therapy Dogs

Therapy Dogs
- Provide psychological support to individuals that are not their handler
-Encouraged to interact with other individuals when on duty 
- Often visit hospitals, homes for the elderly, counseling offices, and similar environments to provide support 
- Are not mandated by law to be allowed in public spaces, but typically can receive exceptions through the proper channels 




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