Dog Differences: Service, Therapy & Emotional Support
- Rachel Velarde
- Mar, 13, 2020
- Dog Inspiration, Pet Safety
- No Comments.

Are you using the terms service dog, therapy dog and emotional support dog interchangeably? Did you know there’s a difference between these three types of dogs? To help clarify, we’ve written this article to explain where you may see a certain type of dog and when someone may need one.
What’s The Difference Between Service, Therapy & Emotional Support Dogs?
A service dog is trained to help people with disabilities such as visual impairments, mental illnesses, seizure disorders, diabetes, etc. A therapy dog is trained to provide comfort and affection to people in hospice, disaster areas, retirement homes, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and more. Emotional support dogs provide their owners therapeutic benefits through companionship.

Service Dog Training

The option to use a service dog is given under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and local governments. According to the ADA, service animals are working animals, not pets. They have been specifically trained to perform tasks related to the disabled person’s specific disabilities. For example, if you are diabetic you may have a dog who can detect when your blood sugar level is too low or high. Training can be done by you, a friend, family member or professional trainer. Service dogs must be on a leash, harnessed or tethered unless it interferes with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability. Service dogs should be controllable and it is in the individual’s best interest if the dog knows verbal/hand signals such as sit, stay, come, down and heel. The service dog should also be house broken. Simply having a disability isn’t reason enough to categorize your own dog as a service dog. Your service dog must be able to complete tasks that you are unable to complete yourself.
Document Training
Be sure to document training dates and accomplishments in a notebook or online document. Not only will this help you through training, but it will also provide a paper trail for your service dog. Having a professional training certificate or video recording can offer validity if your service dog certification is challenged, but it is not required. If you have a psychiatric service dog, a doctor’s note may be required for airline travel and other public areas.
Service Dog Laws
There are two key service dog laws to keep in mind. First, service dogs have to be allowed into businesses and it is illegal for someone to ask about your disability. However, someone can ask if the pet is required due to a disability or what tasks your service dog is able to perform. Second, pretending to be disabled to gain access to an area is against the law. Service dog registration is not required by the ADA.
What Not To Do Around Service Dogs
Please do not pet service animals while they are working. The man in the video below has some more thoughts and tips based on his experience with a service animal.
What Do Therapy Dogs Do?

Therapy dogs are used in facilities to comfort people and give affection. Spending time with a therapy dog has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate, reduce anxiety and increase endorphins and oxytocin. Therapy dogs do not have to be trained to perform specific tasks like service dogs.
Therapy Dog Training
Are you asking yourself, “Can my dog be a therapy dog?” It’s important to first state that not all dogs are good candidates to be therapy dogs. Therapy dogs should be naturally calm as well as affectionate and friendly to strangers. They need to be obedient in addition to having regular wellness check-ups and also be well-groomed for each visit.
To train a dog to be a therapy dog, you may wish to do the following:
- Socialize your dog to new people, places and things
- Complete obedience training with commands like look and leave it in addition to teaching them to not jump on people and more
- Enroll your dog in a therapy dog class
- Register your dog with a national therapy dog organization
How To Certify A Therapy Dog
Depending on where you plan to take your therapy dog, you may not need to register him/her. Therapy dog certification can be achieved through various organizations but we recommend the AKC.
To earn the AKC Therapy Dog title, you and your dog must do the following:
- Be certified by a therapy dog organization that is recognized by the AKC
- Perform the required number of visits:
- AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished (THDD) – 400 visits
- AKC Therapy Dog Excellent (THDX) – 200 visits
- AKC Therapy Dog Advanced (THDA) – 100 visits
- AKC Therapy Dog (THD) – 50 visits
- AKC Therapy Dog Novice (THDN) – 10 visits
- Dog must be registered with AKC (both purebred and mixed breed dogs are eligible)
Emotional Support Dogs

Emotional support dogs provide comfort, a calming presence and company. Emotional support dogs do not have access to all public areas, but there are two legal protections. First, they can fly with a person who has an emotional or psychological disability. Second, they can qualify for no-pet housing. A letter from a physician may be requested by housing authorities and airlines because the use of emotional support dogs has been abused by some over the years.
There is no formal training needed to be an emotional support dog, which is why you may see some that are not the most well-behaved. However, there are some characteristics you’ll want to know, so you have the best experience with your emotional support dog.
Characteristics To Look For
Your emotional support dog should be devoted to you and responsive to your emotions and commands. The dog should also be calm and laid back. A rambunctious dog has the capability of becoming an emotional support dog, but it will require more training. It is recommended to look for a dog that is around one year old so you can build that relationship with him and have him be out of his curious puppy phase. However, puppies can be emotional support animals as well; they’ll just need to be a breed that is people-oriented (e.g. Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, Goldendoodle, poodle, etc.). Learn more about emotional support animals.
What Kind Of Dog Is Needed?
We thought it’d be fun to “quiz” you to see if you can distinguish which type of dog is appropriate for various scenarios. Test your knowledge below.
Q: What kind of dog helps a person when they experience social anxiety while flying?
A: Emotional support dog
Q: What kind of dog is needed at school to help children experiencing anxiety?
A: Therapy dog
Q: What kind of dog is needed to pull a wheelchair?
A: Service dog
Q: What kind of dog offers companionship in day-to-day activities for one person?
A: Emotional support dog
Q: What kind of dog is needed to protect someone who is having a seizure?
A: Service dog
Q: What kind of dog is needed to remind a person with mental illness to take their prescription?
A: Service dog
Q: What dog helps a person with autism?
A: Service dog
Q: What kind of dog works with numerous people?
A: Therapy dog
Q: What kind of dog calms a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
A: Service dog

About Dip’ n Dogs Hydrotherapy – Orlando, FL
At Dip’n Dogs Hydrotherapy, we are certified and caring professionals devoted to restoring and enhancing the health and happiness of your beloved pup. Encompassing a pool, as well as a certified hydrotherapist, this can provide effective and long lasting results for your pet’s injury or illness. We are conveniently located in Winter Park, FL. Contact us today at (407) 227-0030. Our Services include the following: Outdoor Hydrotherapy and In-Home Mobile Therapy for dogs. We look forward to hearing from you!

What Our Clients Are Saying
Rachel is extremely kind, gentle and motivational towards animals. She provides quality individual attention.
What a great way to help your animal!Chase Milner March 20, 2018
"My Lab mix Tucker, is a new client of Dip'n Dogs. After just a few assisted swims with Rachel, we have seen great results with his weight loss and overall behavior. Rachel is fun and motivating when in the water and Tucker really loves his weekly swim session!"
Patrick Haggerty March 22, 2018
"Rachel is amazing! The changes in Blu’s overall physical health have been worth every effort. I recommend hydrotherapy for any dog’s overall fitness health."
Jennifer Corso Leonard April 29, 2018
"Rachel is wonderful with our fur baby Bella. We were told by Bella’s vet that she needed to lose some weight and we are already seeing results! Bella may not be the easiest client (very much a diva) but Rachel is so patient and gentle with her. Bella is a mix of husky and German Shepherd so we want to keep her fit to prevent conditions that are common with those breeds."
Kaela Rebecca April 30, 2018
"Our little Yorkie Jack has arthritis and our vet recommended trying hydrotherapy. Jack is a yipper but remains calm with Rachel! After his sessions, we do see Jack go up the two steps he usually avoids, with less hesitation and his walking seems easier! Thank you Rachel!"
Joni Browder April 30, 2018
"Our 11 year-old Yorkie just started hydrotherapy for his arthritis. Since starting, he’s a little more agile, and goes upstairs with more ease! Thanks Rachel for all you do and your extra TLC with our little Jack!"
Caitlin Browder May 5, 2018
My beagle, Badger, is overweight (like many beagles are) but I wasn’t too worried because we would go for long walk/runs to keep him healthy. BUT, his hips began to hurt and he wouldn’t walk for more than just a few minutes. I was worried he would become obese! I found Dip’n Dogs online and signed Badger up for hydrotherapy with Rachel. Not only is he almost back to normal with our walks but he has lost a bit of weight! The swims have definitely benefited him. Rachel is kind, patient and very flexible with scheduling appointments. Plus, her package deals help with the cost. I highly recommend her services. Both Badger and I are much happier than we were a month or so ago!”
Camille King July 12, 2018
“Jack’s mobility has benefited from the swimming sessions in a short time. I appreciate the patience and care Rachel has shown with our 17 year old Jack Russell. He needs special attention and she always gives him terrific assistance. I wish we had known about hydrotherapy earlier in his life. I know he would be in even better shape than he is now.”
Seth Miller July 12, 2018
"Hope is getting her second session of water therapy to help with her arthritis in her spine and legs and build her leg muscles back up! Maria and I love her trainer Rachel!"
Andrea Ruiz-Hays July 17, 2018
"Rachel has been awesome and I would most definitely recommend her!! My 12 year old beagle recently had knee surgery and she reached out to me through social media to let me know about her services. When it came time for him to start hydrotherapy as part of his recovery I contacted Rachel and set up an appointment. She was very responsive to messages and easy to get a hold of to set up our first appointment. After our first session my beagle started walking better and showing improvement in his healing process. I decided to buy a 4 session pack from her and taking him to see her weekly. Since we have started, his mobility has improved after each session and he gets around better than ever."
Caitlyn Canada July 17, 2018
"Rachel became certified in canine hydrotherapy through the certification program we offer through The Canine Fitness Institute. Since then, she has been working with dogs daily and I've seen her skills and competence grow by leaps and bounds. She opened her own business in 2018 - Dip N Dogs Canine Hydrotherapy and is doing a great job helping a wide variety of dogs regain strength after surgery, lose weight, become more mobile even though they have arthritis, and more. To further her knowledge, she continues to study and research a variety of orthopedic conditions that routinely affect dogs. She is very personable and her clients love her and the care she gives their dogs. If your dog can benefit from the incredible healing effects of hydrotherapy, I recommend you give Rachel a call."
Sherri Cappabianca July 17, 2018
"Jack was always extremely active throughout his life. Now at 17 plus years, he isn’t able to walk as well as we would like, due to arthritis and atrophy from age a medications he has taken. The hydrotherapy treatments with Rachel have made such a difference. They have helped him maintain his mobility and gain additional strength. Jack swims twice a week with Rachel. He swims very hard and I think he enjoys the mobility in the water that he no longer has on land. I wish we had known about hydrotherapy and Rachel earlier. I don’t think it is ever to early to start your dog swimming. I know would be in even better shape now than he is, if we had started him sooner. I highly recommend Rachel to work with your pet. She always has Jack’s best interest in mind and we certainly appreciate that."
Carrie Miller September 10, 2018
"Rachel is a pro when it comes to helping our dog Ellie feel comfortable during her swimming session. She has a kind nature towards animals and is really good at what she does. I'm glad we found out about her business. I highly recommend her services for your pet's well being."
Andy Schifaro September 10, 2018
"Rachel's calm, confident approach had our dog very comfortable."
Tracy Robinson September 10, 2018
"We are absolutely thrilled and happy to have Rachel swim with our dog Griffin. The exercise really has helped calm Griffin and his weight is right where it should be. Our vet was very happy with Griffins weight at his last check up this past week. They were happy that he had not gained any as many dogs do after being neutered. Griffin really loves his time with Rachel! she is a true dog lover."
Sara Palmer September 10, 2018
"Rachel was wonderful with my Dusty who had an FHO done on his right hip but his left hip is not so good either. As of right now his right has healed wonderfully and his left hip is holding strong! I believe it is because of hydrotherapy with Rachel. Dusty had his surgery in March and I can’t go fast enough for him on his walks! I might need some hydrotherapy myself!"
Terrie Sandefur October 3, 2018
"Rachel seems to see and love my Hannah's Spirit. Hannah recently said goodbye, for now, to Hazel, her litter mate and twin. Needing some fun new experiences and with a recent arthritis diagnosis, Dip'n Dogs was a nice adventure. Hannah enjoys the pool. Seems a natural swimmer. And Rachel has a good positive energy!"
Gwen Hartmann October 4, 2018
"Rachel is a caring and experienced dog guardian and is one of my dog, Maisie’s, favorite people. I highly recommend Dip'n Dogs!"
Marcia Caton February 18, 2019
"Sophie doesn't love the pool but Rachel was so great with her that Sophie was giving her kisses by the end! I'm so excited about Sophie continuing her hydrotherapy!"
Katlyn Billue February 18, 2019
"We are absolutely thrilled and happy to have Rachel swim with our dog Griffin. The exercise really has helped calm Griffin and his weight is right where it should be. Our vet was very happy with Griffins weight at his last check up this past week. They were happy that he had not gained any as many dogs do after being neutered. Griffin really loves his time with Rachel! she is a true dog lover."
Sara Palmer February 18, 2019
"Guinness and I are so happy that we met Rachel. She is super nice, gentle, patient and knows how to make Guinness comfortable in the pool, because he gets soo nervous. She is helping Guiness get back on his leg after a luxating patella injury. Right now he is doing great and starting to put his leg down when walking. I would definitely recommend Rachel- best hydrotherapy
:) and she does a great job in the pool. Thank you Rachel!"
Noelia Cocco February 18, 2019
"From the instant that I met Rachel, I felt comfortable with her and would have trusted her with any of my dogs. She came and worked with my senior, blind Shih Tzu this summer. My Millicent has arthritis, bad skin, allergies and had recently developed a heart murmur. Rachel made sure to go over Millie’s health history with me and was very aware of how Millie was doing the whole time she worked with her. It is great exercise for an old, lazy dog!"
Kristi Klein February 18, 2019