1. Service & Certification Basics
What is this certification for?
Our trainer-backed evaluation confirms that your dog’s behavior meets the standards for public settings, like airports and restaurants.
Who is this for?
This certification is designed for owners of support or service dogs, whether trained by you or a professional, who need formal recognition to access public spaces.
Why choose this over an online service?
We haven't found an online service that includes real-world assessments like ours. Led by experienced trainers, our certification provides meaningful proof, not just paperwork.
2. Certification Process & Requirements
What does the certification process involve?
We provide guidance and a personalized training video to help you prepare for a retest. You can retake the evaluation once your dog is ready
3. Types of Dogs and Their Roles
What’s the difference between an emotional service dog, therapy dog, medical support dog and a service dog?
Emotional Support Dog:
Provides comfort during stressful times but lacks the training needed for public behavior standards. Emotional support dogs are not considered service dogs and cannot access public spaces like service dogs.
Therapy Dog:
Works with its owner to provide emotional support to others in settings like hospitals, schools, or nursing homes. Therapy dogs do not have public access rights beyond these approved facilities.
Medical Support Dog:
Assists with specific medical needs, such as guiding the blind, alerting the deaf, or detecting seizures. While these dogs are trained for medical tasks, additional training may be required to get certified to have full public access as service dogs.
Service Dog:
Trained to perform tasks that mitigate a disability and meet public behavior standards. Service dogs must pass a formal evaluation and receive certification to access public spaces with their owner.
4. Document Requirements
What do I need to enroll?
5. Certification Validity, Renewal & Public Access
How long is the certification valid?
Your certification is valid for one year from the date of the evaluation.
Why is the certification only good for one year?
Because a lot can happen over a year, it's important that every owner demonstrate that they are maintaining the training and good behaviour of their dog to continue as a certified service dog. We will contact each owner every year to do a recertification test to confirm that their dog is still well behaved with both people and other dogs.
How do I renew my dog’s certification?
Before it expires, we’ll send you a reminder. We’ll schedule a quick re-evaluation, and once completed, you’ll receive an updated certificate.
How do businesses verify my dog’s certification?
Your certificate includes a QR code linked to our website, making it easy for businesses, airlines, and other organizations to instantly confirm your dog’s status.
Will certification guarantee access to public spaces?
Certification shows your dog meets behavioral standards, but each business or public space sets its own policies and access cannot be guaranteed.
Is this certification officially recognized by the government?
Currently, there’s no official government certification for service dogs. It’s up to owners to demonstrate how a properly trained service dog behaves in public. Our program helps set that example by holding each certified team to high standards. In the future, we hope to advocate for official standards to ensure consistent recognition for owner-trained service dogs.
6. Cost & Payment
What does the certification cost?
And what if I need to take the test a third time? Additional training may be required before you test the third time and we will have a consult to address your specific situation before we make further arrangements. A small additional charge will apply.
What is this certification for?
Our trainer-backed evaluation confirms that your dog’s behavior meets the standards for public settings, like airports and restaurants.
Who is this for?
This certification is designed for owners of support or service dogs, whether trained by you or a professional, who need formal recognition to access public spaces.
Why choose this over an online service?
We haven't found an online service that includes real-world assessments like ours. Led by experienced trainers, our certification provides meaningful proof, not just paperwork.
2. Certification Process & Requirements
What does the certification process involve?
- Initial Chat: 15-minute consultation to discuss the process and your readiness.
- Behavioral Assessment: Live video evaluation of your dog in a real-world setting.
- Certification: Upon passing, you’ll receive a QR-coded certificate, vest, and tag.
- Sit, heel on a loose leash, and come from a distance.
- Ignore food, people, and other dogs.
- Be fully housebroken and relieve on command.
- No barking or whining (unless it’s a medical alert).
- No interaction with strangers while wearing their vest. It’s important they remain focused on their role.
We provide guidance and a personalized training video to help you prepare for a retest. You can retake the evaluation once your dog is ready
3. Types of Dogs and Their Roles
What’s the difference between an emotional service dog, therapy dog, medical support dog and a service dog?
Emotional Support Dog:
Provides comfort during stressful times but lacks the training needed for public behavior standards. Emotional support dogs are not considered service dogs and cannot access public spaces like service dogs.
Therapy Dog:
Works with its owner to provide emotional support to others in settings like hospitals, schools, or nursing homes. Therapy dogs do not have public access rights beyond these approved facilities.
Medical Support Dog:
Assists with specific medical needs, such as guiding the blind, alerting the deaf, or detecting seizures. While these dogs are trained for medical tasks, additional training may be required to get certified to have full public access as service dogs.
Service Dog:
Trained to perform tasks that mitigate a disability and meet public behavior standards. Service dogs must pass a formal evaluation and receive certification to access public spaces with their owner.
4. Document Requirements
What do I need to enroll?
- Doctor’s note verifying your medical need.
- Vet’s letter confirming health and behavior.
- Optional: Trainer’s letter, if available.
5. Certification Validity, Renewal & Public Access
How long is the certification valid?
Your certification is valid for one year from the date of the evaluation.
Why is the certification only good for one year?
Because a lot can happen over a year, it's important that every owner demonstrate that they are maintaining the training and good behaviour of their dog to continue as a certified service dog. We will contact each owner every year to do a recertification test to confirm that their dog is still well behaved with both people and other dogs.
How do I renew my dog’s certification?
Before it expires, we’ll send you a reminder. We’ll schedule a quick re-evaluation, and once completed, you’ll receive an updated certificate.
How do businesses verify my dog’s certification?
Your certificate includes a QR code linked to our website, making it easy for businesses, airlines, and other organizations to instantly confirm your dog’s status.
Will certification guarantee access to public spaces?
Certification shows your dog meets behavioral standards, but each business or public space sets its own policies and access cannot be guaranteed.
Is this certification officially recognized by the government?
Currently, there’s no official government certification for service dogs. It’s up to owners to demonstrate how a properly trained service dog behaves in public. Our program helps set that example by holding each certified team to high standards. In the future, we hope to advocate for official standards to ensure consistent recognition for owner-trained service dogs.
6. Cost & Payment
What does the certification cost?
- $650 CAD: Includes consultation, live evaluation, personalized training videos if a retest is needed, a one-year certificate with a QR code for verification, a dog tag and a vest.
- $400 CAD: Annual renewal fee.
And what if I need to take the test a third time? Additional training may be required before you test the third time and we will have a consult to address your specific situation before we make further arrangements. A small additional charge will apply.
Still Have Questions?
Schedule a consultation, and we’ll walk you through the process to see if this certification is right for you and your dog.
Schedule a consultation, and we’ll walk you through the process to see if this certification is right for you and your dog.
