A Service Dog is a dog that is specially trained to mitigate the disability for a person with disability.  In order for a person with disability to qualify with MAP to get a service dog, they must first demonstrate that they have the mental capacity and maturity as well as physical ability to handle a dog.  A Service Dog is a dog that is trained to help the person with disability and that person only.  A Service Dog is highly trained in both obedience, public access skills and tasks for that specific person with disability. 

Occasionally we get requests for information from individuals looking for an assistance dog for another person who is not physically or mentally able to be in a working partnership with a service dog.  In most of those cases we instead recommend people help the disabled individual (usually a child) by working with a trained Therapy Dog (and his or her handler) and/or work to find a trained Companion Dog or an Emotional Support Dog for the individual.  The handlers of Therapy Dogs and trained Companion Dogs or Emotional Support Dogs do not have public access rights with their dogs as service dog hander's do.  In order for them to be allowed in any place that pet dogs are not otherwise allowed, such as a doctors office, nursing home, OT facility, restaurant, shopping center etc, the handler must first have permission from that specific establishment.

A Therapy Dog is a dog that is registered with an organization such as Therapy Dogs International, Inc. or The Delta Society.  The dog is trained in basic manners and has passed a test that says that they are of sound temperament with people of all ages, sizes, sex, ethnicity etc.  They are allowed, with individual facility permission, into certain health care facilities such as nursing homes, group homes, OT and PT facilities, doctors offices etc. and with permission into individual homes of people with illness or disability.  They may also be participants in programs where children with reading difficulties read to the dog or be specially certified to work with disaster victims.  They work with a handler, to help those experiencing difficulties.  These dogs supply comfort and emotional support.  They are not task trained.  Again, these animals are NOT service dogs and their handlers do not have public access rights with the dog. 

A trained Emotional Support Dog is a dog with higher level manners and obedience skills, but whose job is to work in the home doing Emotional Support and in-home tasks for a person with disability.  These dogs are useful for families with children emotional, sensory integration or other issues, who are non-violent and who do well with the companionship of a dog.  They are also useful for people who are unable to make the cognitive decisions for a full fledge working service dog but who have a guardian who is capable of ensuring the dog is properly cared for in the home.  These dogs are calm, easy going, and non-reactive.  These dogs may also be trained in skills like tracking (useful for children who tend to leave the house and wander) or to wake a person up at a certain time.  Under the Fair Housing Act, with proper documentation, Emotional Support Animals are allowed in most 'no pets' housing.  But again, these animals are not service dogs and their handlers do not have public access rights with the dog.  MAP does not, under any circumstances, advocate the use of 'tethering' a child to a dog for 'safety'.  We feel that is an inappropriate use of a dog, and is not fair to either the dog or the individual being 'tethered' nor is it safe!  

MAP currently only trains Service Dogs and will on a case by case basis work with people looking to obtain and train Emotional Support Dogs.  If you are interested in working with a Therapy Dog please contact The Delta Society or TDI.  Occasionally MAP has dogs who have gone through our Puppy Raiser Program that may be unsuitable for full Service Dog work due to a minor health problem but may make a wonderful Emotional Support Dog.  If you would like to be added to a waiting list for one of these dogs, please contact us.

12 Maple Ave

Foxboro, MA 02035

781 806 5707

MAP@maplewooddog.com

"Partner is my hero and constant companion. I would not have the sense of security he gives me if it was not for the MAP program. I am able to get out and about with ease and confidence because of the training we received. My trainer was a joy to work with and has never-ending patience. You cannot put a price on what she and the program have given me." - Ann

"We are pleased with our daughter's MAP service dog, Independence and have recommended them to others. We couldn't have asked for a better dog and companion for our daughter and her training is exceptional."- Cheryl