The Truth About Service Animals and ESAs-- Real vs. Fake

Millions of people depend on assistance animals to help them engage in major life activities. On the flip side, some people try to pass off their pets as assistance animals to skirt the rules in pet-restricted communities, restaurants, airplanes, and other places where pets are not allowed. So how do you spot the difference between a legitimate service or support animal and a fake one? Join us for this episode of Take It To The Board as host Donna DiMaggio Berger uncovers the world of training assistance animals with Terry Harris of West Tennessee K9 Training, a top-rated dog training facility in West Tennessee. 

Together, Donna and Terry take listeners through the differences between service animals and emotional support animals, shedding light on the rigorous training requirements needed for dogs to assist with various disabilities. There are many different disabilities that proper training can address including: mobility, hearing, vision, PTSD, autism, seizure disorder and more. Discover the specialized skills that these legitimate assistance animals possess and the important role they play in supporting their handlers' daily lives. 

Choosing the right breed for service work is crucial. Donna and Terry look at which breeds are best suited for various tasks. Terry also shares where you can find his free online training resources, ensuring you're equipped with the tools needed to effectively train and engage with your canine companion. Don't miss this comprehensive guide to the world of service dog training!

Conversation Highlights Include:

• Training requirements for service animals and emotional support animals
• Various disabilities that service dogs can address
• Training methodology 
• Certification and documentation typically required for service and emotional support animals
• Behavioral standards expected from service and emotional support animals in public spaces

BONUS: Find out the most common mistakes people make when training their everyday pets!

Related Links:

• Podcast: Nuisance or Necessary: Solving the “Pet” Problem with JoAnn Nesta Burnett
• Online Class: Take A Bite Out of Fraudulent Assistance Animal Requests Class
• Article: New Laws Regarding Emotional Support Animals