What’s the Difference Between a Service and a Therapy Dog?
Service Dogs
Service dogs undergo training to aid their owners in everyday physical tasks and are most commonly used by the blind, the hearing impaired, and those with physical, psychological, or emotional disabilities.
Service dogs may pull wheelchairs, open doors, turn on light switches, retrieve items by command, or respond to medical crises.
The Seeing Eye is a trademark of The Seeing Eye and may only refer to dogs trained and certified in the non-profit organizations in the Morristown, New Jersey facility. There are more than 700 The Seeing Eye puppy raisers throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and portions of Maryland.
The Seeing Eye uses German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Labrador/Golden Retriever mixed breeds. Dogs typically range in weight from 55 to just under 100 pounds.
Assistance dogs cannot be refused entry to public buildings such as movie theaters, restaurants, or airplanes under U.S. federal law as defined by the American Disability Act.
Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs are dogs that are trained to emotionally uplift or cheer up those confined to hospitals, rest homes, or assisted living facilities. These dogs also undergo training and pass specific eligibility requirements.
Therapy dogs can be any breed but are most often smaller dogs because larger dogs may cause anxiety or fear in the elderly or those who are ill.
Some therapy dogs go through training with the Therapy Dog International Canine Good Citizenship and Temperament Evaluation organization, of which the Greater Lehigh Valley Therapy Dogs Group is a participating member.
For additional information contact these organizations:
The Seeing Eye Inc. at P.O. Box 375, Morristown, New Jersey, 07963. The Seeing Eye Inc. can be reached via e-mail at info@seeingeye.org or by phone at 973.539.4425. For additional information, visit the Web site at seeingeye.org.
Marx’s Lehigh Valley Dog Training center offers service, guide, therapy, and basic obedience training programs. For additional information visit the Web site at lehighvalleydog.com or phone 610.395.6166.
The Greater Lehigh Valley Therapy Dogs Group, a member of Therapy Dogs International. Visit their Web site at therapydogsgltd.org.
Best Friends Animal Society offers outreach, networking, and adoption services for shelters and pet owners around the nation. Visit bestfriends.org for more information.
