In today’s increasingly accommodating and understanding social and work environments, Service Dogs are being recognized as the life changing aids they are. Historically known for serving as seeing eye dogs or deaf dogs, service dogs can help with so much more. In our stressful world, there are more invisible disabilities than ever, from depression to PTSD to dizziness, that are not always obvious to the eye but can limit daily activities. Service Dogs can be trained to perform tasks that support people with disabilities navigate the challenges of daily life. But for people living with an invis ..read more

So often people certify their service dog only to learn that they need a doctor’s note.  To get a doctor’s letter for your service dog, you need to see a doctor This might seem obvious, but many people look online when in reality, you need to speak to a licensed medical professional, including a PCP, therapist, or even a social worker. This professional must have a relationship with you, meaning they’ve seen you for treatment or an assessment within the past year. This letter is to attest to the fact that you have been prescribed a Service Animal to support you with a disability. It is no ..read more

Perhaps you want to get your dog certified as an emotional support animal and your landlord asks for a letter. Here is what you need to know.  Under the Fair Housing Act, individuals with a disability are protected and entitled to reasonable accommodation. Landlords may however request proof that your dog is certified or a letter from a healthcare professional. If you need to provide a letter, you can start with one from yourself and see if that is enough to satisfy a landlord. The Fair Housing Act provides a template as follows;  — [NAME OF BUILDING MANAGER] [ADDRESS] Re:  ..read more

What can you do when you have a dog but your landlord says no pets? Many buildings have a no pet policy or require a prohibitive monthly “pet fee”. If you have a dog, you know they’re a member of your family, and family comes before real estate. But depending on where you live, finding a pet-friendly rental can be a challenge.   In addition to searching for a pet-friendly rental, there are a few other options for a landlord that says no pets.  Option 1: Just Ask for a “No Pet Policy” Exception If you’re not renting from a property management company, a private landlord might be willi ..read more

There’s never been a better time to take your dog with you on a road trip. But making sure your trip is dog friendly can seem complicated. You might be wondering what you need to bring your dog to a hotel or what the rules for traveling with your dog are. Don’t let uncertainty stop you. Whether you are traveling with your partner, family, or friends, bringing your dog along is sure to make your road trip even more special. If you’re thinking about hitting the road, read on for the top 5 tips on bringing your dog on a road trip.  Tip 1: Teach your dog to love the car  To some dogs thi ..read more

Most people don’t think about an ESA or Service Dog certification until the same day they need it. If your dog provides you with emotional support or you’ve trained them to perform a task that helps you with a disability, you can register them as a Service Dog or Emotional Support Animal. Certifications are not necessary or required by the ADA but sometimes you’ll be asked to provide a service dog certification or ESA certification. Often times this will be from a hotel, airline, landlord or leasing company.   Because of an increase in fraudulent cases, businesses are looki ..read more

As our society becomes more open about disability and increasing access for all people, getting a certified Service Dog is becoming increasingly popular.   How can I register my dog as a Service Dog?  A Service Dog is a specially trained animal that performs a task that directly assists a person with a disability. Service Dogs aren’t just limited to Seeing Eye Dogs or Hearing Dogs. There are many types of physical and emotional disabilities that Service Dogs can be trained to help their handlers with.   The American Disability Act outlines some of t ..read more