Service Dog Tags: Everything You Need to Know

Service dogs are highly trained animals that provide invaluable assistance to individuals with disabilities. These dogs can perform a wide range of tasks, such as:

• Guiding individuals who are blind or visually impaired
• Alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Providing mobility assistance to individuals with mobility impairments
• Providing emotional support to individuals with mental health disabilities

**Service dogs are not pets.** They are working animals that are specifically trained to perform tasks that mitigate a disability. As such, they are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means that businesses and other public places must allow service dogs to accompany their handlers, even if they have a "no pets" policy.

Service Dog Tags: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?

Service dog tags are identification tags that are worn by service dogs. These tags typically include the dog's name, the handler's name, and the organization that trained the dog. Service dog tags are important because they help to identify the dog as a legitimate service animal. This can help to prevent the dog from being discriminated against or mistaken for a pet.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Service Dog Tags

There are a few common mistakes that people make when using service dog tags. These mistakes can include:

• Using a fake service dog tag
• Using a service dog tag for a pet
• Using a service dog tag that is not up-to-date

Using a fake service dog tag is illegal. It is also unethical, as it can make it more difficult for people with legitimate service dogs to access the services they need. Using a service dog tag for a pet is also unethical, as it can lead to discrimination against people with legitimate service dogs. Using a service dog tag that is not up-to-date can also be problematic, as it may not be accepted by businesses or other public places.

How to Get a Service Dog Tag

There are a few different ways to get a service dog tag. You can:

• Get a tag from the organization that trained your dog
• Get a tag from a third-party vendor
• Make your own tag

If you get a tag from the organization that trained your dog, you can be sure that the tag will be legitimate and up-to-date. However, if you get a tag from a third-party vendor, you need to make sure that the vendor is reputable. You can also make your own tag, but you need to make sure that it includes all of the necessary information.

Benefits of Using Service Dog Tags

There are several benefits to using service dog tags. These benefits include:

• Helps to identify your dog as a legitimate service animal
• Can help to prevent your dog from being discriminated against
• Can help you to access services that you need
• Can provide peace of mind

Table 1: Service Dog Tag Laws by State

| State | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Alaska | No specific law on service dog tags |
| Arizona | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Arkansas | No specific law on service dog tags |
| California | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Colorado | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Connecticut | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Delaware | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Florida | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Georgia | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Hawaii | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Idaho | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Illinois | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Indiana | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Iowa | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Kansas | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Kentucky | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Louisiana | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Maine | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Maryland | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Massachusetts | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Michigan | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Minnesota | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Mississippi | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Missouri | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Montana | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Nebraska | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Nevada | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| New Hampshire | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| New Jersey | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| New Mexico | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| New York | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| North Carolina | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| North Dakota | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Ohio | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Oklahoma | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Oregon | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Pennsylvania | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Rhode Island | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| South Carolina | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| South Dakota | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Tennessee | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Texas | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Utah | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Vermont | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Virginia | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Washington | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| West Virginia | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Wisconsin | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |
| Wyoming | Requires service dog tags to be issued by the state |

Table 2: Service Dog Tag Vendors

| Vendor | Website |
|---|---|---|
| American Kennel Club | https://www.akc.org/ |
| International Association of Assistance Dog Partners | https://www.iaadp.org/ |
| National Service Animal Registry | https://www.nsar.org/ |
| Service Dog Tags | https://www.servicedogtags.com/ |
| US Service Animals | https://www.usserviceanimals.org/ |

Table 3: How to Make Your Own Service Dog Tag

Pros and Cons of Using Service Dog Tags

Pros:

• Helps to identify your dog as a legitimate service animal
• Can help to prevent your dog from being discriminated against
• Can help you to access services that you need
• Can provide peace of mind

Cons:

• Can be expensive
• Can be difficult to obtain
• May not be accepted by all businesses or other public places

Conclusion

Service dog tags are an important tool for people with service dogs. These tags can help to identify your dog as a legitimate service animal, prevent your dog from being discriminated against, and help you to access the services that you need. If you have a service dog, I encourage you to get a service dog tag.