ABOUT
ME
Our Mission
In the early years of my experience, service dogs were almost unheard of and rarely seen in public. Most people believed that if a dog wasn't a guide or hearing dog, it didn't belong in public or non-pet-friendly settings. There was very little understanding of the broader capabilities of service dogs. While there were organizations that placed service dogs with individuals with disabilities, it was not nearly as common as it is today. Over the years, federal laws have evolved to provide greater protection for individuals with disabilities and their fully trained service dogs. Additionally, several states have enacted laws to protect service dogs in training, whether they are part of a formal program, taught by professionals, or handled by individuals. Unfortunately, the rise of registered pets has negatively impacted legitimate service dogs in multiple ways, and the impact extends beyond access issues.
Many service dogs, who have undergone years of training, have been attacked by untrained pets that are falsely registered as service animals. We aim to address the misconceptions surrounding service dogs through the establishment of the 'Service Dog Education & Advocacy Project.' Our goal is to combat the widespread lack of education and the unreliable information available online. My colleague and I are dedicated to educating anyone willing to listen about the importance of service dogs, the relevant laws, and ethical considerations while advocating for the rights of genuine service dogs and their owners. We invite participation from both the general public and fellow service dog handlers in this initiative. The objective is to provide information to law enforcement, businesses, and public entities that serve the community regarding the challenges and uncertainties they may encounter when addressing situations involving individuals who misrepresent their pets as service animals.
Service Dog Education & Advocacy Project Certifications
- - Certification 1
- Certification 2
- Certification 3
Service Dog Education & Advocacy Project Qualifications
- - Qualification 1
- Qualification 2
- Qualification 3