Service Animals, Therapy Animals, and Emotional Support Animals

How Do We Help?

Training a dog to become a service animal is available to individuals who have a disability. If you are interested in having a service dog, below are requirements to be aware of:

  1. A person is eligible for a service dog if they have a physical, emotional, or mental disability
  2. A service dog must be well-mannered at all times
  3. A service dog must be trained to perform specific tasks that aid in a disability
  4. If it is not obvious what service the dog provides, the handler must be willing to answer two questions about their service dog.
  5. Optionally, it can help service dogs to be clearly identified with accessories. 

Registering the Dog

We will assist the individual with the registration process. If the individual is financially unable to pay the registration fee, our Helping Hands Fund supports this need.

Checks are payable to the Brain Injury Resource Center of Wisconsin and mailed to our office at 511 North Grand Ave, Waukesha, WI 53186

or via our donation page

Need a Dog / Train a Dog

When it is determined that an individual requires a service dog:

  • They must obtain a physician’s statement
  • Establish the duties the dog is to perform
  • Provide information on how to choose a dog that’s right for the person and the services needed
  • Refer the individual to Humane Societies in their area and rescue shelters (Read More)
  • Provide a list of organizations that train service dogs

Brain Injury Resource Center of Wisconsin

  • BIRCofWI Resource and Reference Library (Database)

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

ADA Requirements

Are Emotional Support, Therapy, Comfort, and Companion Animals considered Service Animals under the ADA?

These terms are used to describe animals that provide comfort just by being with a person.  Because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.  However, some State or local governments have laws that allow people to take emotional support animals into public places.  You may check with your State and local government agencies to find out about these laws.

Types of Service Dogs (Explanations)

  • Difference between a Psychiatric Service Dog and an Emotional Support Animal – Definition
  • Guide Dogs for the Visually Impaired – Definition

Service 101 – Choosing a Service Dog

Organizations

Books to Train Your Service Dog

Barnes and Nobles – Weblink

Online Service Dog Training Programs

The Spruce Pets – Resource Guide

Service Dog Trainers

Registering Your Service, Emotional Support, or Therapy Animal

Attention: Due to the new Department of Transportation (DOT) policy, emotional support animals are NO longer allowed to fly in airplane cabins for free. However, psychiatric service animals are eligible.

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