For many Alaskans and dog owners, the presence of a trained dog can provide comfort, support, and life-changing assistance. But not all working dogs are created equal. If you’ve ever wondered about the differences between therapy dogs, service dogs, and emotional support animals (ESAs), you’re not alone. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they represent distinct roles, rights, and training levels.
At Alaska Dog Works, with over 20 years of experience training therapy and service dogs, we believe informed decisions lead to stronger bonds between dogs and their humans. Whether you’re looking for companionship, medical assistance, or a way to give back to your community, understanding the distinctions can help you find the right path forward.
In this post, we’ll break down the differences between therapy dogs, service dogs, and ESAs, explaining their legal status, training requirements, and how Alaska Dog Works can help you find or train the perfect dog for your needs.
What is a Therapy Dog?
Therapy dogs are trained to provide affection, comfort, and emotional support to individuals in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, senior living facilities, and even in private therapy offices. They are not trained to perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability, which is an important legal distinction.
Key Characteristics of a Therapy Dog:
Purpose: Offers emotional comfort to groups or individuals.
Training: Must be well-socialized, calm, obedient, and pass therapy-specific evaluations.
Access Rights: No public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); must be invited into facilities.
Handler Role: The dog’s handler is typically a volunteer or professional who brings the dog into various settings.
At Alaska Dog Works, our DAWGS Program (Dogs Assisting With Grace trains therapy dog teams to serve in Alaska’s schools, hospitals, churches, and more. These dogs are handpicked for temperament, trained with purpose, and matched with handlers who want to make a positive impact.
What is a Service Dog?
Service dogs are individually trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a person’s disability. These can range from guiding individuals who are blind, to alerting someone with diabetes to changes in blood sugar, to providing deep pressure therapy for someone with PTSD.
Key Characteristics of a Service Dog:
Purpose: Performs specific tasks that mitigate an individual’s disability.
Training: Extensive and individualized training (often 1–2 years).
Access Rights: Full public access rights under the ADA. Can accompany handlers into restaurants, airplanes, workplaces, and other public areas.
Handler Role: Must have a documented disability and require the dog for specific task-based assistance.
Our Lead Dog Service Dog Training Program at Alaska Dog Works prepares dogs to support individuals with PTSD, autism, mobility challenges, and medical alerts. We focus on matching the right dog with the right client and guiding them through a comprehensive training and support program to foster long-term success.
What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
Emotional support animals provide comfort and support to individuals suffering from emotional or mental health conditions. Unlike service dogs, ESAs are not required to perform specific tasks. They are typically prescribed by a licensed mental health professional.
Key Characteristics of an ESA:
Purpose: Provides emotional comfort through presence alone.
Training: No formal training is required, although basic obedience is encouraged.
Access Rights: No public access rights under the ADA. However, ESAs may be permitted in certain housing under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
Handler Role: Must have documentation from a licensed mental health professional stating the need for an ESA.
While Alaska Dog Works does not certify or train emotional support animals, we do provide foundational obedience training to help all dogs, regardless of role, live balanced and respectful lives within their homes and communities.
Comparison Table: Therapy Dogs vs. Service Dogs vs. ESAs
| Feature | Therapy Dogs | Service Dogs | Emotional Support Animals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trained to Perform Tasks? | No | Yes | No |
| Public Access Rights (ADA) | No | Yes | No |
| Requires a Disability Diagnosis? | No | Yes | Yes (for ESA letter) |
| Special Training Required? | Yes (social and obedience) | Yes (task-specific) | No (though obedience helps) |
| Allowed in Housing (FHA)? | Sometimes (if invited) | Yes | Yes |
| Allowed on Flights? | No (post-2020 DOT regulations) | Yes | No |
| Primary Purpose | Comfort for others | Assist individual with a disability | Emotional support through presence |
Why It Matters to Understand the Difference
For families in Alaska and beyond, knowing the difference between these roles is crucial. Mislabeling your dog can lead to legal issues, public confusion, and undermine the legitimacy of working dogs.
Unfortunately, the misuse of service dog vests or ESA letters has led to stricter regulations. Landlords, airlines, and businesses have the right to ask questions, and not having clear, legally defined documentation or training can create roadblocks.
By working with professional trainers like those at Alaska Dog Works, you’re ensuring that your dog’s role is understood, respected, and compliant with current laws.
Which One is Right for You?
Here’s a simple way to evaluate what kind of support animal you may need:
You might need a Service Dog if:
You have a diagnosed disability.
You need help with daily tasks or medical alerts.
You need public access with your dog (e.g., store, travel, work).
You might benefit from a Therapy Dog if:
You want to volunteer with your dog to visit hospitals, schools, or therapy centers.
You work in a clinical setting and want to integrate canine comfort into your practice.
You enjoy structured training and want to give back to the community.
You might need an ESA if:
You suffer from anxiety, depression, or trauma-related conditions and feel supported by your dog’s presence.
You need housing accommodations but not public access.
You’re not looking for a working dog, but a pet with deeper emotional benefits.
How Alaska Dog Works Can Help
We specialize in training therapy dog teams and service dogs for individuals and organizations across Alaska. Our programs are rooted in:
Customized Training: Whether it’s task-based for service dogs or temperament-focused for therapy dogs, our training is tailored to each client and dog.
Experienced Trainers: With over two decades of hands-on experience, our team is equipped to guide you from start to certification.
Community Impact: Our therapy dog teams are active in hospitals, classrooms, and churches. We’re committed to making a lasting difference in Alaskan lives.
Ongoing Support: We don’t just train and disappear. We offer continued coaching, progress check-ins, and group training opportunities.
Choose Wisely, Train Purposefully
Whether you’re seeking to change lives through therapy work, need critical support from a trained service dog, or simply want your emotional support animal to be well-mannered, the key is clarity and commitment.
At Alaska Dog Works, we’re proud to serve Alaskans who see the power of the human-canine bond. We believe every dog has a purpose—and with the right guidance, you and your dog can do incredible things together.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you’re unsure which kind of dog is right for your needs, or if you’re ready to start training a therapy or service dog, we’d love to talk.
Give us a call at 206-752-DOGS to schedule your personalized strategy call today.
Let’s create something extraordinary—together.
