Abstract
As service dogs, emotional support dogs, and therapy dogs have become more prevalent in the USA, so too has the controversy surrounding their legitimacy. Yet, there is a lack of objective data regarding the public’s understanding of the role played by each of these types of animals, as well as their perceptions regarding the legitimacy of their integration. An anonymous, online survey was distributed to examine the perceptions of US adults who do not own any type of assistance animal. A total of 505 individuals responded to the online survey, yielding 284 usable responses. Results suggest widespread misconceptions about definitions, rules, regulations, and rights associated with each type of assistance dog. In general, service dogs are more likely to be perceived as helping with a legitimate need, and their access to public spaces is viewed favorably. While there are some concerns about the legitimacy and necessary access rights for emotional support dogs, members of the public correctly identified the roles and rights of therapy dogs. Despite the media’s focus on abuses and false representation of these dogs, most participants reported feeling the majority of people are not taking advantage of the system.
Highlights
Assistance animals are governed by a complex, and often overlapping, series of laws and regulations, which only helps to fuel confusion and lack of understanding of the tasks and work performed by each type
Having a more in-depth understanding of the perceptions and options held by a sample of adult members of the public regarding assistance dogs can help us to address the need for a standardization in language and definition for these types of animals
There has been much negative press surrounding the issue of misrepresentation of assistance animals, the true prevalence of behavior is likely lower than portrayed by the media, or at the very least, members of the general public perceive it to be lower
Summary
The number and types of helping roles fulfilled by assistance animals, most often dogs, have been growing rapidly [1]. There is considerable confusion over the meaning of individual terms used to designate the function and role of service animals, assistance animals, therapy animals, and emotional support animals [2]. Further complicating the issue is the fact that different organizations and statutes use different terms to designate the rights and privileges of various types of assistance animals. In the simplest of terms, assistance animals can be viewed as an umbrella label, with sub-categories including, but not limited to, service animals, therapy animals, and emotional support animals. A service animal is defined as an animal that provides assistance related to a person’s disability, and enjoys broad access to public locations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II and
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