Olivia Streaman of Connecticut applied for a service dog four years ago for her father, who has Parkinson’s disease. She describes it as a "life-changing" decision that has allowed him greater independence and improved his mobility. Streaman, who witnesses the strong bond between her father and his service dog Peanut, now works at Educating Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD), a nonprofit that trains service dogs.
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ECAD, founded in 1995 by Lu and Dale Picard, aims to help individuals with disabilities gain mobility and independence through specially trained dogs. Streaman and her colleagues are now advocating for legislation in Connecticut to make it illegal to falsely claim a pet as a service dog, which they argue unfairly stigmatizes legitimate service dog owners.
Streaman explains that a misrepresented service dog is essentially an untrained pet that its owner falsely claims as a working service animal, often using fake vests or documentation. She recounts an incident at Costco where her father faced scrutiny because other untrained dogs had caused issues in the store. "Sadly, other pet owners who falsely claim their dog is a true service dog are doing a disservice to people like my dad," she said.
The rise in owners misrepresenting pets as service dogs, often facilitated by online purchases of vests and certificates, is concerning. True service dogs undergo approximately 1,500 hours of training over two years, Streaman noted. They should exhibit calm behavior, remain close to their handlers, and not show aggressive tendencies.
Kasey Nash, who founded Joyful Paws Service Dogs in 2017, offers a different perspective. She suggests that many dogs labeled as service animals are not necessarily fakes; instead, they are often inadequately trained due to the financial constraints of their owners. A fully trained service dog can cost over $40,000, making them inaccessible for many individuals with disabilities. Nash provides training options for handlers who can’t afford to purchase a fully trained service dog.
Nash emphasized the vague nature of current laws regarding service dogs under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). There are no requirements for professional training or official certifications for service dogs, and handlers are not mandated to present identification. This means misrepresentation can go largely unchecked, and many owners may not fully understand the requirements.
The ADA permits business owners to ask two questions to verify a service dog’s legitimacy: whether the dog is required due to a disability and what specific tasks the dog is trained to perform. However, they cannot demand verification or deny entry based on a lack of identification.
Streaman noted that many states have enacted laws against fraudulent service dog representation, with penalties ranging from civil fines to misdemeanors. In Connecticut, a bill was introduced last year to explore penalties for misrepresentation, but it ultimately did not pass.
Streaman is urging the Connecticut General Assembly to impose penalties for those who knowingly misrepresent their pets as service dogs, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of service animals and the rights of those who depend on them.