Come registrare il tuo cane come cane da terapia o animale di servizio

Vuoi che il tuo animale domestico diventi un animale di servizio o da terapia negli Stati Uniti? Questo blog ti aiuterà a comprendere le esigenze, la formazione e i requisiti.

Indice

• Aiutare il tuo animale domestico a diventare un animale terapeutico o di servizio
• La differenza tra animali di servizio e animali da terapia e supporto emotivo
• Addestramento e registrazione del tuo animale di servizio o di supporto
• Cosa succederà?
• FAQ

Aiutare il tuo animale domestico a diventare un animale terapeutico o di servizio

Many of us have been spending more time at home due to the coronavirus, COVID-19, and Stay-at-Home orders in many states. Even though our fur babies don’t understand why, they are delighted that we can spend more time with them, get more exercise together and perhaps spend more time on the couch together.

If you’ve ever been curious, now could be the perfect time to learn more about what it takes for your pet become a therapy or service animal. I’ve put together this list of information, links and resources to help you investigate whether certifying your pet as a service or therapy animal is right for you.

Le questioni sono complesse e controverse. Per uno, ci sono linee guida e ci sono leggi relative agli animali di servizio. Some are suggested best practices while others are punishable under the law if you don’t follow them.

There are also several groups that regulate or have a vested interest. The American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) represents the people who really need these animals and so they are active in ensuring the rights of disabled people to own and use them. But businesses are often frustrated and confused about the laws. Do they have to let any dog (or cat or lizard) in as an emotional support animal?

Il Dipartimento di Giustizia degli Stati Uniti ha emesso e richiamato le linee guida per gli animali di servizio. Ogni stato fa anche le proprie leggi sugli animali di servizio. Può diventare appiccicoso a seconda di dove vivi.

Non importa dove vivi, probabilmente è meglio lavorare con un'agenzia o un capitolo nel tuo stato d'origine per assicurarti di avere le informazioni più aggiornate e pertinenti.

Maggiori informazioni di seguito. Ma prima, qual è la differenza tra un animale di servizio (come definito dalla legge) e un animale di supporto emotivo o da terapia?

La differenza tra animali di servizio e animali da terapia e supporto emotivo

As described by the Washington State Service Dog Association (WSSDA), service animals are used in many different ways by people with a variety of disabilities. Service animals may lead blind people or serve as the ears of a deaf person. They may carry and pick up items, be used for balance, and provide warnings of impending seizures or low blood sugar. Service animals may allow people with anxiety disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other emotional illnesses to function in society, by alerting their handlers to avoid anxiety triggers, by recognizing and blocking behaviors, or by stimulating the person to “snap back” to a conscious state. Service animals can remind handlers that it is time to take medication and can summon help in the case of fainting or a seizure.

The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability.

As you can see, the human must have a diagnosed disability for their animal to qualify as a service animal. So while some animals provide emotional support for anxiety or PTSD for example, they do not become a service animal until the human is diagnosed with a disability. So unless you have a disability, or you are training your animal to be given away or sold to someone with a disability, your pet is not a “service animal.”

I modi in cui le persone con disabilità utilizzano gli animali di servizio continuano a crescere ed evolversi. Al momento, solo cani e cavalli in miniatura sono considerati animali di servizio in alcuni stati. Molte organizzazioni scoraggiano o vietano l'uso di primati, animali selvatici e animali esotici come animali di servizio.

Sebbene svolgano una funzione molto importante, gli animali non di servizio, che includono animali di supporto emotivo, animali di conforto e animali da terapia, non sono tecnicamente animali di servizio ai sensi di alcune leggi statali. Anche altre specie di animali, selvatiche o domestiche, addestrate o meno, non sono considerate animali di servizio.

La differenza fondamentale è anche la formazione. L'Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) consente al conduttore di un cane guida di accedere agli spazi pubblici con quel cane. Ad esempio, la legge dello stato di Washington non richiede che un cane guida sia certificato, registrato o altrimenti identificato come tale. Tuttavia, la legge dello Stato di Washington richiede che un cane guida sia adeguatamente addestrato per questo lavoro.

Under the ADA, a handler simply needs to state that the dog is a service animal, and access should be granted. Many handlers prefer the convenience of having a dog registered–an identification tag, vest or cape is often provided to show the dog is a registered service animal. This can save the handler from having to disclose details of their disability. It does not matter if a person has a note from a doctor that states that the person has a disability and needs to have the animal for emotional support. A doctor’s letter does not turn an animal into a service animal. Training does.

Quindi qualsiasi animale può essere definito un supporto emotivo o un animale da terapia da chiunque. Ma secondo la legge, ristoranti, aziende ed edifici pubblici non devono consentire a una persona di portare con sé un animale di supporto negli spazi pubblici. Solo gli animali di servizio addestrati sono protetti da questa legge.

It’s an important distinction because the law protects people who need a service animal as an accommodation for their disability, while the law does not protect emotional or therapy animal accommodations. You need to understand the difference. As of January 1, 2019, police can fine a person up to $500 for misrepresenting their emotional support or therapy animal as a service animal.

So if you’d like your pet to become an emotional support animal, therapy animal or comfort animal, no training or registration is required by law. However, we highly recommend you use positive reinforcement training with help from online resources or with a professional. If you’d like to give your pet the job of cheering people up in a nursing home, airport or other public space someday, you want your pet to be a ‘good citizen’ and behave well with others. Many of those private and public places only allow service animals so its important to understand and communicate clearly before bringing your animal with you.

Addestramento e registrazione del tuo animale di servizio o di supporto

Il primo passo è trovare una fonte di formazione adeguata. A meno che tu non sia un addestratore di cani professionista, dovresti considerare di lavorare con uno. Consulta l'elenco delle organizzazioni di servizi terapeutici per animali come il Consiglio di certificazione per addestratori di cani professionisti per trovare un addestratore di cani professionista certificato vicino a te. Molti ti forniranno un certificato di completamento quando il tuo cane avrà raggiunto un livello di addestramento adeguato.

Per esempio, Bellingham’s Embarking Dogs awards a Canine Good Citizen certificazione al completamento di cinque livelli di addestramento all'obbedienza dei cuccioli o livello di abilità specificato per i cani anziani. Questa certificazione ti darebbe la sicurezza di offrire il tuo cane come cane da terapia in una casa di cura disponibile, ma non si qualifica ancora come animale di servizio ai sensi della legge.

If you’d like to pursue true service animal status, perhaps the best approach is to choose a registry that can recommend a professional trainer and give you step by step guidance on how to achieve it. Registries include Service Animal Registry of America, the National Service Animal Registry and the United States Service Dog Registry. Some registries are free while others charge a fee. Each can walk you through the steps required to become registered. It is not a quick process, but now is an excellent time to invest in the process so you’ll be ready when public spaces open again.

If you aren’t training the dog to be given away or sold to a person with a disability, and instead you would just like to give your pet the job of bringing emotional joy to others, then you might check out organizations like Pet Partners. Nonprofit organizations like this one have Therapy Animal Programs that train and organize handlers and their animals. Each program has program requirements that you can work toward now from home. These requirements include things like adequate house training, minimum age and length of ownership to ensure the safety of those in the public. Many offer a free webinar that can be completed at home as a first step. You can even search by zip code to see if there are other volunteers in your area.

Cosa succederà?

Once you have some information, your pet has achieved an adequate level of obedience and you’re sure you’d like to make it official, you’re ready for the next steps.

A seconda dell'organizzazione che scegli, probabilmente dovrai completare una serie di passaggi che potrebbero includere:

• Partecipare a un corso per gestori. Luckily, some offer online courses that could be completed now while we’re staying at home.
• Screening della salute degli animali. You’ll need to demonstrate that your pet has all required vaccinations through a medical screening that is signed by your veterinarian.
• Supera una valutazione. Most organizations require that you meet with an evaluator in person, often a volunteer in your area. The evaluator will take your pet through a simulated visit to ensure you’re both ready for a nursing home or school. There may or may not be a fee, depending on the organization. This step might need to wait until Stay-At-Home orders have been lifted.
• Completa un'applicazione. This step helps you become officially registered and often requires a background check of the human. Fees vary. Once complete, you’ll likely receive a certificate that can be presented to managers as proof that you’re ready. You’ll also likely get tags or a vest that will help identify your pet as a therapy animal.

It is important to understand that in many states, that the handler of a service or therapy dog is responsible for the animal’s behavior and care while in any public place or private business. Additionally, a service (or therapy) animal can be refused entry to a state business or building if the dog initiates unwanted contact with members of the public. For example, a dog who jumps up on other people while working can be excluded from that space.

So even if you’re excited, take your time in each step of the process to be sure you and your animal are ready. But once you get there, you and your animal will have the chance to bring smiles and perhaps assistance to others. That truly is a wonderful thing.

Ti auguriamo buona fortuna e una connessione più profonda con il tuo animale domestico durante questo viaggio. Rimani sano e salvo.

FAQ