How To Register My Dog As A Service Animal In Washington State

Rcw 49 60 040 defines a dog guide as a dog that is trained for the purpose of guiding blind persons or.

How to register my dog as a service animal in washington state. We will call the correct number if your pet gets loose during your vacation. It is illegal to identify an untrained dog as a service animal or dog guide. To qualify as a service animal under washington state law the dog must be trained. While it is possible to register or certify a service dog the truth is there is no legitimate registration service or official certification required by the ada americans with disabilities act which protects and governs people who use service dogs. While there s no legal process to register your dog as a service animal in the united states you can train your dog to pass the adi public access test to give proof of your pet s skills.

Both service animals and dog guides those that guide blind or visually impaired people or assist people who are hearing impaired must be allowed in public. Washington s law against discrimination defines service animals as animals that have been trained to assist or accommodate people with physical sensory or mental disabilities. There is no accrediting body to monitor organizations who train service animals in the state of washington. All service dogs must be trained before qualifying to work as service animals and candidate dogs for service dog training must have passed screenings for health temperament training and aptitude. We understand how important our dogs are for emotional support and service.

Decide if you want to obtain a trained service dog or train your own dog with the assistance of a professional trainer. There should be no pet fee for the service animal. The person with the disability must request the animal as a reasonable accommodation for the disability and must be able to show that the animal is necessary because of the person s disability. Northwest justice project the state legislature has found that misrepresentations of pets therapy animals or emotional support animals as service animals has made it harder for people with disabilities to get acceptance of their properly trained and essential service animals. Washington state service animal laws this is a guide to the laws regarding the use and access rights of service animals in washington state.

Service animal definition the following are definitions described in rcw 49 60 040. Registration for service dog is not required. When you leave home on vacation call 206 296 2712 or email us at petlicense kingcounty gov to register where your pet will be while you are on vacation who will be taking care of your pet and where to reach you. Change in washington law about service animals starting january 1 2019 authored by. When preparing your dog for the test find a reputable service dog trainer by asking friends family members or local veterinarians for recommendations.