Know the Difference

Emotional Support Dog

Provides comfort to its owner and helps with debilitating illness such as depression
Can be any breed, any age
No training is required but must provide reasonable accommodations for the landlord (i.e. housetrained, not aggressive to other residents, not destructive to property)
ESA's are NOT allowed public access to public places like grocery stores or on public transit
ESA's are NOT Service Dogs
It is illegal to pass your dog off as a Service dog.
More information about ESA's and Service Dogs in Colorado can be found here

Service Dog

Provides a service to its owner to enhance their quality of life by performing trained tasks such as but not limited to Medical Alert Dogs trained to alert to medical conditions such as low or high glucose levels, seizure activity etc, Mobility Service Dogs open doors, picking items up, Psychiatric Service Dogs help their owners to find an exit, subduing panic attacks
Can be any breed
Service dog training should begin between 6 months and 2 years of age. However, basic skills and socialization begins at 10 weeks of age.
Intensive training can be a 2 year process
It is generally considered that dogs over the age of 4 should not be considered for starting Service Dog work due to the amount of time and money required for intensive training.
Service Dogs usually retire around the age of 8-10 due to age changes and the stress incurred through service dog work
Service dogs ARE allowed access to public areas like grocery stores and public transit (planes, buses, taxis)
Though intensive training is needed, there is no certification or registry required for Service dogs. Any online certifications are bogus and a waste of money.
Service dog training concludes by taking The Public Access test.
Service Dogs Are not required to wear vests but it is generally recommended so that the public knows not to interact with the dog as it is working
It is illegal to pass your dog off as a trained service dog in order to take them on public transportation or because they can't be left alone at home alone due to having separation distress. More information on this can be found here
More information about the rights of ESA's and Service Dogs in Colorado can be found here
Click here to know what we offer

Service Dog Course

Therapy Dog

The dog and the handler provide comfort and enhance the lives of others through their visits
Common places therapy dogs visit are hospitals, nursing homes and libraries that offer "read to the dogs" programs
Therapy dogs can be any breed
Intensive training is required for therapy dogs
Passing of the Canine Good Citizen Test and taking a Therapy dog test through a certified organization is required
Therapy dogs are 1 year of age or older. Training can begin at 10 weeks of age for socialization and basic skills.
Dogs are retested every 1-3 years depending on the rules of the Certifying Organization
Therapy dogs are NOT allowed access to public areas without invitation such as grocery stores or public transit (airplanes, buses and taxis)
Here is a link to our Therapy dog Course

Therapy Dog Course