What Disabilities Qualify for a Service Dog?
In the United States, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), any physical or psychiatric condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities may qualify for a service dog. This includes mobility, sensory, medical, and mental health disabilities. A condition must limit a major life activity, but this doesn’t automatically mean it is severe in a medical sense. According to the ADA:
"A person with a disability is someone who:
has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities,
has a history or record of such an impairment (such as cancer that is in remission), or
is perceived by others as having such an impairment (such as a person who has scars from a severe burn).
If a person falls into any of these categories, the ADA protects them. Because the ADA is a law, and not a benefit program, you do not need to apply for coverage."
We are going to present a brief overview of some of the disabilities that qualify a person for a service dog:
- Mobility impairments: spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, or conditions that affect walking and balance.
- Sensory disabilities: blindness or low vision, deafness or significant hearing loss.
- Medical conditions: epilepsy or seizures, diabetes (alerting to blood sugar changes), severe allergies.
- Mental health conditions: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorder.
- Other chronic conditions, such as respiratory disorders, cardiovascular disease, or any condition that limits daily functioning.
If you are not sure that your health profile fits the requirements in the ADA, please talk to your physician or another licensed health professional. Generally, doctors use what is called the International Classification of Diseases, which is a standardized system used to code diseases and medical conditions (morbidity) data, as indicated by the National Center for Health Statistics. You can even use an online tool to learn more about the medical classification of your condition/s.
Your physician may be able to provide you with a signed and stamped medical letter to attest to your eligibility. While you do not need to obtain and carry such a letter on your person (in most cases), it can significantly help reassure your landlord that you have a real medical need for a service dog and save you time in negotiating housing issues. The letter can also help with negotiating accommodations in hotels or during travel.
How Many Service Animals Can 1 Person Have?
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there is no specific limit on how many service animals a person may have. Instead, access decisions focus on behavior, control, and whether the animal’s presence would fundamentally change the nature of a business venue or pose a health/safety risk. Please keep in mind that a service dog user is expected to have fully-trained, safe, healthy, and sociable canines working with them. Having only one fully trained service dog and another one with good public manners does not mean you can represent both as capable service dogs. There are fines that range between 500 and 5000 USD for misleading the public and falsely presenting dogs as fully trained service dogs.
Can You Have Multiple Service Dogs?
Yes, you can. However, the use of multiple service dogs must be justified. According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report for 2021, roughly 8.9 % of people of all ages had been diagnosed with diabetes. Additionally, a 2024 report by the American Heart Association (AHA) shows that roughly 5% of all US adult citizens suffer from cardiac issues. It is fair to say that an adult American citizen may use two service dogs, one to help them with monitoring their blood sugar levels, and one to alert them of a medical emergency related to their cardiac system. In addition to that, early estimates based on the 2024 National Health Interview Survey suggest that at least 12.6% of adults struggle with anxiety. Therefore, there may be people with a legitimate medical need for a Diabetic Alert Service Dog, a Cardiac Alert Service Dog, and a Psychiatric Service Dog to assist with daily activities and support independent living.
Can You Have 2 Service Dogs for Anxiety?
US law does not put any limits on how many service dogs you can have for a single condition. However, it is reasonable to expect you to have the capacity to explain what each dog does for you and how their tasks are distinctly separate. If you have severe anxiety and you want to use two dogs to handle your condition, each dog is expected to be trained in distinct skills that directly contribute to improving your quality of life and independence.
You may be surprised to learn that about 25 million US air passengers experience fear of flying (aerophobia) and some form of anxiety, according to a 2022 report from the Cleveland Clinic. People with aerophobia might feel intense anxiety before or during a flight that severely limits their travel options and life opportunities. While statistics show that air travel is the safest way to get from one location to another, it can be difficult for some people to manage a severe anxiety attack. Interestingly, air carriers such as Delta and United welcome passengers who may be accompanied by two service dogs onboard their flights. You may want to review our articles linked below for more details on their policies:
Delta Air Lines ESA and Psychiatric Service Dog Policy
United Airlines ESA and Psychiatric Service Dog Policy
Can You Legally Ask for Proof of Service Dog?
Yes, you can. The ADA specifically addresses this by stating:
“In situations where it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two specific questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Staff are not allowed to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability.”
While the ADA does not require service animals to wear a vest, ID tag, or specific harness, we strongly recommend that service dog handlers make sure their paw partners feature a distinctive vest so their role is clearly communicated to the public. Also, the ADA does not require service animal users to have a certificate for their dog to be legally accepted as a service dog. However, you may be interested in obtaining service dog certification so you have an easier time reassuring landlords, hotel management, air carriers, and other service providers that your dog is fully trained and safe to be around.
If you are looking to learn more about common service dog misconceptions, then you may be interested in reading the guidance from the ADA National Network.
