Service dogs are canine companions that help people who struggle with disabilities. Furthermore, some service dogs can even be of assistance to the authorities like the police, military, or fire department.
While service dogs don’t look physically different from your average dog, most service dogs will have some type of vest that indicates that they’re on the job. Though most service dogs wear vests, they’re not required, so it’s important to consider the benefits and drawbacks of getting one for your dog.
Also, service dog vests have become popular for emotional support animals and therapy dogs as well. However, those dogs aren’t welcome in public settings unless approval is granted by a business owner. Therefore, spotting a dog or animal in a service animal vest that seems out of place can help you report that person and animal to the authorities.
Read on to learn more about service dog vests.
What Is a Service Dog?
According to the ADA, a service dog is a canine companion that’s trained to help someone perform a specific task. They require extensive training and must be well-behaved around others and in public spaces. Service dogs can accompany people in public, on airlines, and in otherwise not pet-friendly homes.
Unlike most dogs, service dogs are considered working dogs, and they have several protections in public and private spaces. Service dogs in a vest are also common to avoid interruptions and let the public know that a dog is on the job.
People who have a mental health disability or a physical disability qualify for service dogs. Service dogs are typically trained for a specific task and bond with a specific person.
Do Service Dogs Need a Vest?
No, service dogs don’t need a vest. Your service dog doesn’t have to wear a vest because there are no legal requirements for them to wear one outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act.
That said, that doesn’t mean your service dog shouldn’t wear a vest. In fact, your service dog can do a better job with a vest because they have pockets and handles for you to guide them, and there is a reduced chance of people interacting with you and your dog. We always recommend having your service dog in a vest for the best results.
How Much Does a Service Dog Vest Cost?
Service dog vests vary in price based on the type of vest you’re looking for. Some service dog vests will cost more than others, but the average price is around $50 to $100.
You’ll find some vests closer to $25 but with less utility and more expensive vests over $100 with more utilities like extra pockets, better materials, and patches. Therefore, keep this in mind when you’re shopping for a service dog vest.
Do Emotional Support Dogs Need a Vest?
No, emotional support dogs (ESDs) don’t need a vest. While you can use a vest for your ESD it won’t grant you any legal protections in public.
Plus, lying about the status of an ESD can result in expensive penalties, fines, and even jail time in some states. For this reason, we recommend not using service dog vests on an ESD. Instead, you can use a harness that says they’re an emotional support animal or a traditional harness that has some extra pockets or utility.
Do Therapy Dogs Need a Vest?
No, therapy dogs don’t need to wear a vest. In fact, therapy dogs aren’t in the same category as service dogs and can’t come with you in spaces where service dogs can go. Therapy dogs are limited to places where they’re permitted to provide comfort, like schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and funeral homes.
That said, it’s a good idea to use a vest for your therapy dog to prevent people from playing with them or distracting them from their job. It’s also handy for therapy dogs to have pockets to provide people with things that they may need, like tissues, snacks, or water.
Do Service Dog Vests Have to Be a Specific Color?
No, service dog vests don’t need to be a specific color. You have the freedom to change the color of the vest to anything you like.
This also applies to patches; there are no laws that state that you have to give them a specific patch or anything that identifies them as a service dog. Still, your service dog should wear a vest if you want to avoid people approaching your dog and distracting them from their job.
Reasons to Get a Service Dog Vest
Service dog vests are a great thing for your service dog and can make taking them out in public easier. While service dogs aren’t required to wear a vest, it’s still a good idea to have one so that people know they’re on the job. Learn about all of the reasons to get a service dog vest below.
Less Trouble in Businesses
According to the ADA, business owners can’t ask you too many questions about your service dog but if you bring them in without a vest there are some questions they can ask. These are about what the dog is trained to do and if they’re a service dog.
While these questions aren’t hard to answer, having your service dog wear a vest can help you avoid any questions. This is especially helpful if you’re someone who has social anxiety and you don’t want to interact with people asking questions about your dog or disability.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to bring your dog in with a vest because business owners won’t have much pushback. While they can’t ask you too many questions, it’s a great way to have less prying eyes on you and your service dog.
Prevents Others From Interacting With Your Dog
Service dogs are well-trained, but that doesn’t mean you want people coming over and petting them or trying to play with them. For example, it’s common for people to come over and pet your dog or ask you about your dog if you’re in public or at a place like a brewery.
While this is fine for normal dogs, and won’t disrupt your service dog too much, it can prevent them from doing their job. Plus, you might have social anxiety and want to avoid dealing with people interacting with your dog.
The good news is that a service dog vest is a great way to prevent these interactions. Most people who see a service dog know not to interact with them or try to bother them.
Other People Will Feel More Comfortable Around Your Service Dog
Your service dog is there to serve you and you alone. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be respectful of others. Some people have had bad experiences with dogs and may be uneasy around dogs, especially larger breeds like a Bernese mountain dog. For this reason, a service dog vest can help people feel more comfortable around your dog.
Most service dogs are well-trained and won’t bother anyone, but when people see the service dog vest, it lets them know that the dog is well-behaved. Keeping other people comfortable can also help your dog do their job, especially if the service dog is helping with police work or rescue work.
Keeping Your Service Dog Warm
Planning on being outside during the cold months? In these cases, you’ll want a service dog vest that has some type of padding. This is ideal for short-haired service dogs who might not have the undercoat necessary to stay warm in cold temperatures. Service dog vests with padding are also good for working dogs that are pulling sleds or doing activities in the snow.
While your dog has hair, that doesn’t mean they’re immune to cold temperatures. Make sure you keep this in mind when choosing a vest as well because a simple harness won’t offer the same protection as something padded.
What Are the Types of Service Dog Vests?
Service dog vests come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. It’s important to choose the right service dog vest for your dog’s specific needs, and some vests offer different perks than others. Learn about each unique type of service dog vest below.
Service Dog in Training Vests
A service dog in training vest is a vest indicating that a service dog is still completing their training. Most commonly, these vests are in a cape style as this type of best tends to be ideal for small dogs and puppies. Cape vests are equipped with straps in the chest and belly area and provide coverage for most of the torso.
By having your service dog wear a vest during public training sessions, itensures that people don’t interact with the dog and interrupt. Service dog in training vests may be printed with an indcation that the dog is in training, or it may be plain (but you can get a patch to state their training status).
That said, cape vests can be worn by service dogs who have completed training, so long as this type of vest works with their body.
Mobility Support Harnesses
One of the most popular service dog vests that you’ll find is the mobility support harness. These harnesses are designed with handles to help you hold on to the dog as they guide you.
These vests are popular for guide dogs, dogs that pull wheelchairs, and some other types of service dogs. These vests can also come with a pull strap, which is a great alternative to handles if you want to hold the dog from a distance instead.
You can use a mobility harness for any type of service dog, but you’ll usually get more use out of them for physical disabilities. After all, its purpose is to make it easier for you to balance on your dog or have them guide you. That said, these harnesses aren’t heavy-duty, so you shouldn’t have them for reliable pushing or pulling by larger dogs.
Cape Harness
The cape harness is similar to the cape vest, but it’s different in a few ways. For example, they might have D-rings that can hold a pull strap or handles that you can grab onto. They may also come with extra pockets or pouches that you can store items in.
Additionally, cape harnesses come in a wide range of styles and designs, so you can customize them to your liking. You can choose any color you want, add patches, or do anything else you prefer with the design.
Overall, cape harnesses are the most flexible option. They can do just about anything, and the only limitation is that they’re not suitable for pulling heavy objects.
Pulling Harness
Another popular harness is the pulling harness. These harnesses are designed for people who have problems with mobility, specifically walking.
You’ll want to bring out the pulling harness when the dog has to pull something heavy. Some examples include wheelchairs, sleds, and other tasks. You can tell it’s a pulling harness by looking for the Y-strap between the front legs of the dog and over their shoulders. These straps are then fastened to whatever is being pulled in the stomach region.
All harness types are viable, but we recommend getting a harness if you have a physical disability.
How to Choose the Right Service Dog Vest
For your canine companion to do their job to the best of their ability, it’s important to choose the right dog vest size. Aside from the size, you also need to consider general comfort, utilities, pockets, and anything else they might need to take with them. Learn about some of the factors to consider when choosing a service dog vest below.
Size and Comfort
First and foremost, you want your dog to be comfortable. Look for service dog vests that are made with comfortable materials that will fit your dog without causing any discomfort. You don’t want exposed metals, handles, or hooks on their hair because this can make them uncomfortable and hinder their ability to do their service work.
Aside from the materials, look for service dog vests that have most of their pressure and weight on their torso instead of their neck.
Also, make sure you choose the right size for your dog. Harnesses for larger service dog breeds won’t work for smaller or miniature breeds. However, most service dog vests are adjustable within a certain size range. Most service dogs are similar in size because they’re usually medium-sized dogs, so you don’t have to worry too much about the size.
A good rule of thumb to follow is that the size you choose should be based on your service dog’s rib cage – you’ll want to measure them before you order the vest.
Quality Handles and Accessories
The quality of the service dog vest should never be overlooked. Like any dog harness, you want it to be well-made and come with plenty of high-quality materials that won’t wear down over time.
First and foremost, you want the harness to have handles. These handles are what you’ll use to guide the dog or hold on to them if they’re pulling your wheelchair. So, you want the handles to be strong enough to support you and not break if your dog jolts or moves.
All other accessories, like hooks and clips for the harness, should also be well-made. While your service dog won’t run away if their harness comes undone, you don’t want the vest falling off because they can be expensive to replace if it gets damaged.
Reflective Trim
One of the more underrated features to consider is reflective trim. This is a trim that will outline the harness or be present in key areas of the harness. The reflective trim can help cars, bikes, and people see your dog better at night because it will reflect light back at them.
Whenever you’re walking near the side of a road, crossing a street, or just out in public at night, it’s worth it to have reflective trim.
Pockets
Every service dog vest needs some pockets. These pockets allow your service dog to carry essential items you might need, like medications, a K-9 alert phone, extra leashes, or other utility items for your disability.
Most service dog vests come with some pockets but make sure you find one that comes with enough pockets for your specific needs. In fact, some larger pockets can hold treats, paperwork, and even water or snacks for you.
Appearance
Service dog vests are utility vests that are designed to help your service dog assist you, but they don’t have to be all business. Depending on your preferences, there are plenty of service dog vests that come in camouflage, bright colors, and other unique styles. Therefore, you can style the vest to your liking.
There are also different configurations you can choose from, so you can change how the harness looks, where it sits on the dog, and much more. While it’s the least important factor to consider, it’s something you’ll see often, so it’s a good idea to spend some time thinking about what it will look like.
Fun appearance features aside, you should also consider the patches on the vest. Look for vests that come with patches that have an image of a service dog or words that state they’re a service dog. You can also find patches that are removable if you want to use them as a harness when they’re off the clock.
Get the Service Dog Vest You Need Today
Service dog vests aren’t legally required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get one for your dog. In fact, we recommend using a service dog vest because it will make your public interactions much better and reduce any awkward conversations or interactions that you might run into.
That said, make sure you choose a service dog vest that suits your needs. Look for the right amount of pockets, the right size harness, and other configurations that make your service dog more effective and comfortable.