The United States Department of Justice defines a Service Animal through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal specifically trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If an animal meets this definition, it is considered a Service Animal regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government. However, we do recommend programs that voluntarily certify dogs. Please visit the Delta Society for more information on Service and Assistance Animals.

Service and Assistance Animals perform some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself. Guide dogs, used by some individuals who are blind, are the most well known type of Service Dog. Other specific terms for specialized service dogs include Signal Dogs for the deaf or hearing impaired, Mobility Assistance Dogs, Seizure Response Dogs, and Psychiatric Service Dogs. The terms "Service Dog","Service Animal" and "Assistance Dog" all mean the same.

Service and Assistance Dogs can be trained to complete physical tasks that help people with disabilities associated with many diagnoses, including:

• Arthritis
• Ataxia (poor balance)
• Autism
• Blindness or Impaired Vision
• Cardio/Pulmonary Disease
• Cerebral Palsy
• Deafness or Impaired Hearing
• Diabetes
• Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.)
• Neurological Disorders
• Physical Mobility Issues
• Psychiatric Disabilities (requires a doctor’s note. You must have this in your possession.)
• Seizure Disorders (Epilepsy)
• Spina Bifida
• Spinal Cord/Head Trauma
• Stroke