How to Get a Service Dog in New York

There’s no denying that New Yorkers are animal lovers, but for many living with disabilities, a service dog can enhance their lives in ways a standard pet cannot. Whether you have a physical disability or a mental health disorder, a service dog can make your life more manageable in many ways. So if you’re curious about bringing an assistance animal, here’s everything you need to know about how to get a service dog in New York.

Options for Getting a Service Dog in New York 

Whether you live in New York City or anywhere else in the Empire State, you have multiple options for bringing a service dog into your life. If you already have a beloved canine companion, you can consider training it for the job, or if that doesn’t suit your lifestyle, you can purchase or adopt a trained service dog. Here are some of the benefits of both.

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How to Get a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD)

To get a psychiatric service dog you must meet certain criteria. Start by consulting with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) to assess your eligibility and determine if a psychiatric service dog is appropriate.

Training a Service Dog in New York

For New Yorkers who already have a furry best friend, training it to be a service dog is easier than you might expect. With an online service dog training program, you can teach your pup to perform tasks that specifically help you with your psychiatric disorder with the virtual assistance of a professional. If you have a physical disability, it might be advantageous to pursue in-person service dog training for a hands-on experience. 

Online service dog training programs (that apply in New York State) to consider include:

• Pettable Online Service Dog Training Program — Pettable’s program is built to turn your canine companion into a psychiatric service, led by certified dog trainer Lisa Gallegos CPDT-KA. This program helps you train your service dog with easy-to-follow online lessons.
• Service Dog Training Institute — If you need specialized training for assistance with a physical disability, the Service Dog Training Institute’s online courses are highly recommended by previous users.

Some organizations to consider for training a service dog in New York include:

• Dog Relations NYC (New York City)
• Certified Canine Services, Inc. (Syracuse area)
• Rochester NY Dogs (Rochester, NY)

Adopting a Service Dog in New York 

Another option for New York residents is to adopt or purchase a service dog that is already trained to specialize in caring for their disorder. While this is a great option for someone who doesn’t have the time or knowledge to train their own service dog. However, this is typically a much more expensive endeavor, with prices that far exceed those of enrolling in an online training program. However, some non-profit organizations provide service dogs at no cost for qualifying applicants. New York-based service dog adoption or purchase organizations include:

• Putnam Service Dogs (Brewster, NY)
• Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind (Cassville, NY)
• Woofs for Warriors (Specializing in Veterans’ Care) (Glens Falls, NY)

Do You Need to Register Your Service Animal in New York?

While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) doesn’t require service dogs to be registered with the federal government or other entities, New York City requires all canine companions to be registered. In NYC, all dogs, including service dogs, must have a valid dog license issued by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). This aids in finding lost dogs and allows them to go off-leash in New York City park dog runs, among other benefits. However, there is no specific registration required for service dogs, either in NYC or anywhere else in the Empire State.

What Documentation Does My Service Dog Need?

Despite the need for a valid dog license in New York City, service dogs don’t typically need any sort of documentation to be recognized as working animals. The ADA has no requirements for certification, registration, or documentation for service dogs, and that extends to paraphernalia like special vests, ID tags, or letters. But if you want an extra sense of security, a licensed mental health professional can write you a letter to verify your need for a service dog, especially if your disability is not apparent.

Service Dog Laws in New York State

Some states and localities across the country have their own rules or regulations regarding service dogs and emotional support animals (ESAs), but the Empire State is not one of them. As of 2024, there are no New York-specific service dog laws, but federal laws offer the strongest protections for physical and psychiatric service dogs, ensuring that wherever you take your canine assistant, you’ll be well within your rights.

Federal Protection for Service Dogs

The most powerful protections for disabled people and their service dogs are federally issued laws that ensure equal treatment for New Yorkers living with physical and mental health challenges. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against disabled people in public spaces and accommodations. These individuals and their service dogs are allowed in all kinds of places, including restaurants, shopping centers, government buildings, medical facilities, and more. As long as the service dog is properly trained to perform essential assistance tasks for their owner, and under their human’s control, they are allowed to accompany them anywhere in New York.

Another federal law that protects individuals and their service dogs is the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), which prohibits airlines from discriminating against anyone with a physical or mental health disability. Air carriers are required to recognize service dogs as essential working animals and allow them to travel in-cabin with their owners, as long as they fit safely and do not pose a threat to flight crew or passengers.

What is a Service Dog?

As defined by the ADA, a service dog is a canine of any breed that is trained to perform tasks specifically for the benefit of their owner’s mental or physical disability. There are no requirements for certification or documentation as long as the dog has been properly trained and is well-behaved at all times in public.

Types of Service Dogs

Since every disability is unique, different types of service dogs specialize in certain conditions and needs. These include:

• Psychiatric service dogs
• Mobility assistance dogs
• Seizure alert dogs
• Medical alert dogs
• Visual and hearing guide dogs
• Allergy detection dogs

Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Animals

Although they both provide care for their owners, service dogs and emotional support animals (ESAs) are not one and the same. Service dogs are protected by the ADA and ACAA, but these laws do not apply to ESAs, which are considered therapy animals, not working ones. However, ESAs may be any type of domesticated animal, whereas dogs are the primary type of service animal; in some cases, trained miniature horses can be service animals.