Service dogs are beneficial companions to many, and these helpful pups are trained to assist their owners in many tasks that help to relieve the symptoms of specific disabilities. Many individuals are accustomed to seeing service dogs in public with identifiers such as marked leashes and harnesses. However, depending on your preference, you may not need to identify your service dog. Our article gives you more details about service dog harnesses and when you might need to purchase one for your service animal.
What Is a Service Dog Harness?
A service dog harness is like a regular harness for your dog, except it has the words “service dog” or “service animal” along the side. These harnesses are connected to your dog’s leash, allowing you and your service dog to walk around in public and alert others around you that your dog is working. Service dog harnesses come in a variety of styles, colors, and materials, and they may be helpful for individuals who want to ensure their dog is safe in public while making sure that others know their dog is working.
Does My Service Dog Need to Wear a Harness?
Your service dog does not need to wear a harness, as the Americans with Disabilities Act doesn’t require any kind of identification papers, registrations, certificates, or marked leashes and harnesses. This federal regulation only requires that your service dog is trained to perform a specific disability-related task and that they are well-behaved and controlled in public.
The only questions that individuals can ask you about your service dog, regardless of whether or not they are wearing a service dog identification harness, include the following:
- Is this dog a service dog?
- What work or tasks has this dog been trained to perform?
The insistence that you otherwise demonstrate that your dog is a service animal or that they perform their trained tasks is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and you are not required to answer any other questions or show further proof of your service animal’s role.
What Rights Does My Service Dog Have?
Your service dog has federally protected rights when they accompany you in public. They are allowed to enter into businesses or restaurants alongside you and must be allowed into spaces such as malls and retail stores. Your service dog must be properly trained and socialized to where they can focus on you to perform their duties in public without fear, aggression, or distraction.
Additionally, you can live alongside your service dog under the Fair Housing Act without paying any additional pet fees or rent. This federal regulation aims to prevent discrimination for individuals who need to live with service animals and ensures that reasonable accommodations can be made for those who need a service animal’s support as they live with their disabilities.
Can My Service Dog Be Denied Access?
Your service dog may be denied access to certain areas, though this is unlikely if your dog is well-behaved and trained. Some religious organizations are exempt from following the public access regulations set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and you will need to check with these organizations directly before attempting to bring your service dog inside with you.
If your service dog is out of control, destructive, or dangerous, they will likely be denied access to public areas like businesses, restaurants, and malls. This is to protect the safety of others and to prevent your dog from creating damage or destruction in public places. The Americans with Disabilities Act does give individuals the right to deny public access to their service dog in these situations.
FAQs About Service Dog Harnesses
Service dog harnesses can be a confusing topic. Our answers to the following frequently asked questions about service dog harnesses can help you understand more about service dog harnesses and when they might be necessary.
Where Can I Buy a Service Dog Harness?
Service dog harnesses are available to purchase both in-person and online. You can browse selections for service dog harnesses in your local pet stores or special order a harness online. Sometimes, there are more options for service dog harnesses online from pet-specific websites, such as Chewy.
We recommend accurately measuring your dog and following sizing guidelines online to ensure the safest and best fit of a service dog harness.
Is It Illegal to Put a Service Dog Harness on a Pet Dog?
Putting a service dog harness on a pet dog is frowned upon, but this act isn’t necessarily illegal in most states. Attempting to pass a pet dog off as a service dog might be illegal, however, and if you are dressing your pet dog in a service dog harness to complete this task, then you might find yourself in legal trouble. Most of the time, fake service dogs can be easily detected because of their behavior.
If you believe you need a service dog to help you with your daily life, it’s important to go through the proper channels to add one of these helpful companions to your treatment plan and train them to complete tasks for you. Doing this will avoid legal issues and allow you to benefit from the help of your pup daily.
How Can I Tell if a Service Dog Is Fake?
Sometimes, people will attempt to pass their dog off as a service dog by supplying them with a harness and taking them into public. Most of the time, you can tell when a service dog is fake because of their behavior. Fake service dogs will generally be out of control, not listening to their owner, distracted by other dogs or people, and they may be fearful, reactive, or aggressive.
All of these traits make for a dangerous situation, so despite wearing a service dog harness, a dog may be denied access to certain areas based on their behavior. It’s important to note that a service dog harness is not an all-access pass for you and your dog, especially if your dog isn’t fully trained.
What if Someone Asks Me to Put a Harness on My Service Dog?
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are not required to hold ID, registration, certificates or equip your dog with a marked harness or leash. These items may be chosen by owners who wish to inform others that their dog is working. Still, they are not legally required, and any individual or business asking you to equip your service animal with one before you are granted entry into a space violates the ADA.
Can My Service Dog Be Denied Entry Into Public Spaces?
Your service dog may be denied entry into certain public spaces based on their behavior. Businesses are allowed to turn away service dogs that are dangerous, aggressive, or out of control, even if they are wearing a service dog harness. Your service animal will need to be both well-behaved and well-trained if they are to access their public access rights.
Should I Put a Service Dog Harness on My Service Animal?
Whether or not you put a service dog harness on your service dog is up to you. This is an entirely personal decision, and identification of your service dog is not required by the Americans with Disabilities Act before you are allowed to access public spaces. Many individuals choose to equip their dog with a service dog harness so they can avoid questions about their dog in public and inform others around them that their dog is working and not to be bothered.
However, if you don’t feel like placing one of these harnesses on your dog, you don’t have to. Make whichever choice gives you the most comfort as you are out and about with your service animal.
Choosing to Identify Your Service Dog
While identifying your service dog is a personal choice, many individuals choose to equip their service dog with a harness to ensure they can work in public uninterrupted. It’s important to be aware of your rights and choices regarding your service dog, as you will be traveling with them in public daily. Whether or not you use a service dog harness for your companion, always be up to date on the latest service dog policies and think about how you wish to identify your service animal in public.