If you have certain health or mobile conditions, then you may do well by having a service dog to assist you with some of your needs. If you have anxiety or other conditions with which having a dog around you can help to calm you down, then you could use an emotional support dog. If you like to visit places like nursing homes and help people to feel better, then you may want to get a therapy dog to take with you. It's important for you to understand these different types of dogs and how each one can help you. Also, you want to learn about the benefits of each and what the laws are surrounding them.
A therapy dog
A therapy dog is a special dog in the sense that it must be a very well-trained dog that has a calming attitude. This dog will help people feel better when they are around it. A therapy dog can visit places like nursing homes, hospitals, group homes, and other places where it can help to cheer up the people in those places.
Therapy dogs don't have a legal right to enter places of business, such as restaurants, grocery stores, or other places where service dogs are legally permitted to go. This is due to the fact that a therapy dog isn't required by you to perform certain duties or to help keep you safer while in these places.
An emotional support dog
An emotional support dog is one that will be very important to your well-being. This is generally your own personal dog that you have formed a special bond with and that helps you to emotionally feel better. This dog can be an important part of helping you to cut down on your anxiety attacks and stresses in general. An emotional support dog can also help autistic people and other people with special conditions to stay focused and calm down. These dogs have certain special rights, such as being permitted to live in homes where pets are not allowed. However, they don't retain the right to go into public places like service animals can.
A service dog
A service dog is a specially trained dog that is trained to help you with mobility issues or with illnesses. For example, a service dog can help to warn a person they are about to have a seizure, so the person has time to sit down and get in a safe place. A service dog can also warn a diabetic about low sugar levels. Some service dogs are trained to do things for people, such as lead the blind safely, help a deaf person know when alarming sounds occur, and more. Service dogs are allowed in public buildings like restaurants, movie theaters, and other places other dogs aren't allowed in. If you're interested in how to make your dog a service dog, look into certification programs today.