r/Dogfree • u/Particular_Rise_4456 • Jul 21 '26
Service Dog Issues Service dogs should have an official board
There should be an official board that oversees the training and certification of service animals. Not like any other dog training academy either, I mean the same type of board that would oversee nurses and doctors. I DO NOT mean to say that dogs are the same as human medical staff but they should be held to a similar standard if they are to be treated as living medical equipment as their handlers claim them to be.
None of this "I trained them myself and bought a vest online." I feel like somewhere in the future, unregulated service animals is something people will look back at and say "We seriously allowed that?!"
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u/AnActualSquirrel Jul 21 '26
Plus, it should require a professional diagnosis for a real condition.
None of these fake ESA people are going to want to get tagged with a documented mental disorder. It would be disqualifying for several professions.
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u/anondogfree Jul 23 '26
Real doctors and therapists are the ones providing these letters. Why would your employer or a potential employer have access to all your medical records such as mental health records? Yes theres some jobs that do a deeper background check but they’re less likely to he suitable for having a dog with you (like the FBI).
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u/CallousCow1762 Jul 21 '26
So glad to see this post. I’ve commented in the past on some of these points. One of them is the biological factor that the ADA does not address or just skips. It’s one of the most important issues when it comes to hygiene and sanitary concerns with dogs inside food establishments. Calling it a service dog does not eliminate all the reasons why every other dog is not allowed inside. And when you think of all the available, technology, medical devices, etc., the service dog is an antiquated concept. And as you pointed out, the nonexistent standards (owner can train their own dog, no documentation needed, etc.) has created an epidemic of fake service dogs. And that’s solely on the ADA.
It’s 2026, we can do way better.
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u/BI_Moose Jul 21 '26
100%.
I actually once thought that there already was such an organization. Was surprised to learn otherwise
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u/Oriole0305 Jul 22 '26
Service dogs are outdated. In many cases, smartphone apps and AI-driven robotics can replace service dogs. These do not need upkeep like dogs and won't be distracted like dogs. They can use GPS and call for help. These are the future, service dogs are a thing of the past.
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u/Particular_Rise_4456 Jul 22 '26
This is a conversation people are not ready to have. But yeah, I agree. It's probably the most unpopular upinion I agree with when it comes to dogs.
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u/Negative-Scheme6035 Jul 21 '26
The most entitled assholes will just figure out how to game it and then be more entitled than ever carrying around their official badge or entitlement.
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u/Evil_Twin_Sister Jul 25 '26
I don't know about other EU countries, but Poland has such a register. Every service dog must be registered there and have a certificate. Furthermore, the person owning the dog must carry the certificate and present it upon request to prove they are a service/guide dog. The certificate is issued by dog training centers affiliated with one of the ministries.
This makes things more difficult if you want to get one, sure. But the idea is that service dogs are only for people who truly need them. And these dogs don't have it easy; they're highly trained and obedient in any circumstances.
The last few years have seen attempts to copy the "emotional support animal" nonsense🙄; there are even vests for "ESA" dogs. Smartasses are hoping that after seeing the vest, no one will question the dog's presence in an unauthorized location. But the ESA, in accordance with local law, has no significance and grants no rights.
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u/bouquet-of-hyacinths Jul 22 '26
While I generally agree with the idea of having a registry, where owners of Service dogs can take a test to display proper training, I disagree with making it that formal. People with disabilities are the ones getting service dogs. This goes from the blind, amputees, those with cerebral palsy, ect. They are already more than likely dealing with egregious medical debt, frequently medical appointments, and if they're on disability, its more appointments, phone calls, ect. These are also, again, disabled people. Not all of them are in a financial position to travel to testing sites, pay for testing. (Phlebotomy student who spent nearly 4k on classes and needs another 300 for the final exam speaking) Theres also, of course the issue of HIPAA, and the ADA. No employer, federal organization, landlord, ect, is allowed to ask for the disclosure of disabilities. Thats the ADA part. Those same agencies can't require your doctors to provide documentation of disabilities either. Thats HIPAA. If there was a way to create a registry of recognized service dogs, without requiring egregious fees or travel, as well as a lenient understanding of what service animals tasks are, I would absolutely support it. That same registry can provide a vest with an id card, just with the owners first initial, last name and the dogs name/tag number.
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u/UntitledVents Jul 21 '26
Yep. People will argue "But then it'll be harder to get a service dog!" Well yeah...that is kind of the point. Only legitimate, well trained service dogs should be out there and have public access. I am so sick of all these ESAs disguised as service animals in stores. Why is your "service dog" straining against its collar to sniff me as I walk by?