Service dogs play an indispensable role for many individuals with physical and mental health disabilities. Recognizing this, Georgia provides legal protections and rights for service dog handlers.

In the Peach State, service dogs have the right to access public areas typically off-limits to animals and can reside in homes and apartments that generally don’t permit pets. Service dogs can also board airplanes free of charge. 

In this article, we’ll highlight some key details about service dogs in Georgia.

Service dogs aren’t pets; they are legally protected assistance animals for individuals with disabilities. As outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a person with a disability is someone:

“who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.“

The requirements: The handler must have a physical or mental health disability and should train the dog – either personally or through a professional – to execute a job that assists with their disability.

Service dogs can perform tasks such as guiding the visually impaired, providing deep-pressure therapy for those with psychiatric disabilities, or pulling wheelchairs. Service dogs used for mental or intellectual disabilities are referred to as psychiatric service dogs.

Is it required: In Georgia, there’s no formal requirement for service dog registration. However, many handlers choose to register their dogs in voluntary databases to obtain ID cards.

Benefits: Service dog owners frequently use accessories like vests, ID cards, and certificates to inform the public about their dog’s status. These tools can be beneficial in conveying to others that your dog is a highly trained service dog, not a pet. This can discourage unnecessary inquiries about the dog’s presence in areas generally closed to pets and prevent others from interfering with the dog while it’s on the job. 

It’s crucial to note that these accessories cannot replace genuine service dog verification. No one can insist on these items as a condition of access. They are merely a display for the convenience of the handler.

The only way to verify: In Georgia, third parties may ask two questions if the need for the service dog isn’t immediately apparent:

A Georgia service dog handler who can adequately answer these questions must be reasonably accommodated in public spaces without showing any documentation.

To register your service dog and obtain an ID card, Service Dog Certifications (SDC) offers a database and service dog accessories. Here are the steps to register a service dog with SDC in Georgia:

You will need to confirm that you are a service dog owner with a fully trained service dog.

This information will be entered into the service dog registration database.

The photo will be displayed on the ID card and in the database.

You can order additional service dog identification cards, a service dog collar tag, a paper certificate, a vest, etc.

You will receive your digital identification card and registration information at this email address.

A service dog must be specifically trained to perform their necessary tasks. Furthermore, the dog must be well-behaved and under control in public settings.

There are three general routes for training a service dog:

While federal laws protect service dogs and their handlers’ rights, Georgia law also provides support through O.C.G.A. § 30-4-2. This statute gives service dogs in training the same public access rights as fully trained service dogs.

Georgia law also makes it a misdemeanor to falsely present a pet as a service animal. It’s crucial to know that the handler’s honesty is vital in maintaining trust and legitimacy in the service dog community.

The Georgia Department of Veterans Service has partnered with Rebuilding Warriors, a non-profit organization that provides service dogs to veterans. These dogs are trained specifically to assist with the veterans’ unique needs, thereby enhancing their quality of life and helping them reintegrate into society.