Home Page › Blog › Disabilities that Qualify You for a Service Dog

Disabilities that Qualify You for a Service Dog

By: Service Dog Certifications Reviewed by: R. Y. Langham, PhD, MMFT

To get a service dog, you must have an eligible physical, emotional, or mental health disability. The term “disability” has a specific meaning under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which may surprise you. The ADA promotes an expansive definition of “disability” in order to help as many people as possible.

Confirming you have a disability is the first step to meeting all the requirements for a service dog. If you want to know whether your condition might count as a disability, read on.

Definition of “Disability” under the Americans with Disabilities Act

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog handler with a disability is someone who:

Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or
Has a history or record of an impairment (such as cancer that is in remission), or
Is regarded as having such an impairment by others even if the individual does not actually have a disability (for example, a person who has scars from a severe burn that does not limit a major life activity).

Let’s break this down and examine what these words mean more closely.

What is a “physical or mental impairment”?

The definition of an “impairment” is very broad and encompasses a vast number of physical and psychiatric health conditions.

Physical: Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more body systems. For example, mobility issues, hearing loss, or impaired vision.
Mental: Any mental or psychological disorder such as intellectual disability, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disability. For example, severe depression, chronic anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, autism, or ADHD.

What is a Major Life Activity?

The “impairment” has to limit “major life activities,” which are basic functions most people can perform with little or no difficulty. For example:

Eating, sleeping, speaking, and breathing.
Walking, standing, lifting, and bending.
Thinking and concentrating.
Seeing and hearing.
Working, reading, learning, and communicating.
Bodily functions like circulation and reproduction.
The functioning of organs like the heart, lungs, or pancreas.

What is a “substantial limitation”?

The ADA promotes a common-sense approach to evaluating whether a life activity has been substantially limited.

For example, most people can walk short distances without assistance, hear without hearing aids, socialize with others, or read a textbook. A condition that limited these abilities beyond what most people can do could be considered “substantial.”

What is a “history or record of impairment”?

A person can have a condition that has resolved or is in remission but still faces discrimination due to their past. For example, employers might worry about the recurrence of a condition or potential increased healthcare costs and poor attendance, leading to unfair treatment in hiring or promotions.

The ADA protects these individuals from discrimination based on their history of disability.

What does being “regarded as” having an impairment mean?

Some individuals can be perceived to have a disability, whether or not their condition actually limits major life activities. This includes cases where assumptions about a person’s ability to perform a job or participate in activities are based on misconceptions about their condition.

For instance, Samantha, who is rejected from a job interview due to facial scars that do not affect her ability to work, and Tim, who is unfairly terminated for requesting a job reassignment due to back pain, are both protected under the ADA because they are perceived as having impairments.

List of Mental Disabilities that Qualify for a Service Dog

These are some examples of conditions that may qualify as mental disabilities that would make someone eligible for a psychiatric service dog.

Depression and Depressive Disorders
Anxiety Disorders & Phobias
Bipolar Disorders
Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Addiction, Substance-Abuse, and Alcoholism
PTSD, Trauma & Stress-Related Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD)
Dissociative and Personality Disorders
Autism
Neurocognitive and Sleep-Wave Disorders

If you’re unsure about whether your mental health condition qualifies, it can be helpful to seek a PSD letter from a licensed mental health professional. These letters should not be confused with ESA letters, which are essential for people who need emotional support animals.

List of Physical Disabilities that Qualify for a Service Dog

These are some examples of conditions that may qualify as physical disabilities.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Sensory Disabilities (Blind, Deaf, etc.)
ALS
Cancer
Dementia
Cerebral Palsy
Parkinson’s Disease
Muscular Dystrophy
Spinal Cord Injury
Arthritis
Diabetes
Chronic Pain
Stroke
Paralysis
Vertigo
and more

Third-Party Verification of Service Handler Disability

Staff at venues are not allowed to ask service dog handlers specific questions about their disability. The ADA prohibits people from asking disabled individuals intrusive questions about their health condition.

If the disability-related need for the service dog is not readily apparent, staff can only ask service dog handlers two questions for verification:

Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
What task is the animal trained to perform?

The first question entails a yes or no response. No one can ask a service dog handler for medical records or documents to prove their disability. The ADA gives service dog owners a right to privacy when it comes to sensitive information about their physical or mental health limitations.

Order your psychiatric service dog letter today - Click here - ServiceDogCertifications

By: Service Dog Certifications Reviewed by: R. Y. Langham, PhD, MMFT | Service Dog Tips

About the Author: The writing team at Service Dog Certifications is made up of folks who really know their stuff when it comes to disability laws and assistance animals. Many of our writers and editors have service dogs themselves and share insights from their own experiences. All of us have a passion for disability rights and animals.

193 comments

Jordan says: November 10, 2022
Hi, I’m Auditory, which means that my hearing is slowly decreasing. I struggle with hearing certain things like cars or doors opening or closing or people talking and other stuff like that. Can I qualify for a service dog?
Reply
- SDC says: November 14, 2022
  To qualify for a service dog your condition must qualify as a disability that can be assisted by a trained service dog. The disability must substantially limit one or more major life activities. We suggest speaking to your healthcare provider about your particular needs.
  Reply
Jeanni Doyle says: November 9, 2022
I am legally blind, and have serious depth perception( walking down stairs, street curbs ect). Do I qualify? Thanks
Reply
- SDC says: November 9, 2022
  We recommend speaking to your licensed healthcare provider about whether your condition would qualify as a disability and whether a task-trained service dog could help.
  Reply
- D'Anne says: January 10, 2023
  Jeanni,
  If you would use the pet to help you navigate areas in which you can’t seen on your own and must use an assistant to help you do so, a service dog could be something you qualify for. That is what SDC is saying by a task-trained dog. The dog could be helping you with your mobility and balance due to your blindness. Or it can learn to find objects for you that you would otherwise have difficulties finding yourself. When approaching whether or not a service dog is necessary for you, really think through all the ways it could help you before presenting it to a physician. There are some that don’t want to be bothered with the paperwork. I know this as someone with an extensive medical employment background prior to working with animals. Also know that veterinarians can sometimes be an option to sign off on documentation for your service animal. Again, have your ducks in a row before going in there of how / what you plan to use the animal for. Good Luck!
  Reply
Cassandra says: November 3, 2022
I have anosmia sue to COVID. I can’t smell smoke, gas, other toxic fumes, rancid food. Where can I get my dog trained to help me?
Reply
- SDC says: November 4, 2022
  We suggest speaking to your healthcare provider to see how a service dog may assist you. It may also be helpful to talk to a professional service trainer or training organization.
  Reply
Billiejo Sgro says: October 12, 2022
How do I qualify for a service dog. I’m type one diabetic they take in sli four times a day. I have a blood disorder that gives me for blood clots of anxiety depression, so if anyone is out there that can help me with this, I would appreciate it.
Reply
- SDC says: October 13, 2022
  TO qualify for a service dog you must have a physical or psychiatric disability. In addition, your disability must require the use of a task trained service dog. We suggest speaking to your healthcare professional to explore whether a service dog is right for you.
  Reply
- D'Anne says: January 11, 2023
  Basically, as a diabetic the dog has to be trained to do task for you that you yourself cant do. If you cant detect your insulin is getting low but the dog has been trained and has the ability to smell those levels, then telling you to take or insulin or brings it to you cuz maybe you are too weak to be able to move and get it by that point, that could qualify. Or if the dog was trained to bark and/ or nudge you awake from a weakened state once he has brought you the bag for you to administer your medication. You could train a dog to bring a phone to call 911 or call it himself. As I mentioned in one of my answers above. The dog has to be able to complete a task you can’t. Or a task an aide / assistant would be doing for you cuz you can’t. Obviously humans don’t have the ability to smell low insulin like dogs. Nor could you go get the bag or phone if you were too weak. You cant awaken yourself like the dog would. There are so many things to think about that the service dog could do for you. I would suggest speaking to other diabetics that have service animals on a diabetic specific sites. See how their animals help them. Make a list. See if those are ways an animal can help you before approaching a doctor. Always be prepared going in. It’s hard for someone to say No when you have done diligent work, have your reasons, done your research and can state that you have! Good Luck!!
  Reply
Bill C Riemers says: September 23, 2022
I am blind in one eye. I have been so all my life, so I don’t consider it a disability, and I don’t need a service animal because of it. But I have found I have minor hearing loss on te same side as I am blind on. That does create a safety concern, as it means now I both don’t see nor consistently hear things on my left side. Most of the time, this is just a nuicence, as my wife gets upset I sometimes ignore here in the passenger seat of the car… But I realized that it also presents a safety risk when I’m walking out of parking garages or such.
So my question is not do I qualify for a service animal, but rather are there service animals with the appropriate training to warn me of things outside my field of vision, without being trained to believe they have to lead me everywhere?
Reply
- SDC says: September 25, 2022
  We suggest speaking to a professional service dog trainer to evaluate how a trained dog may potentially help you for a non-disability related need.
  Reply
  - Sandy Yocham says: October 10, 2022
    How do I get on a list for a service dog for women of domestic violence with PTSD. I’ve lived through a life of stalking and abuse and I need to feel safe and still live in fear. I had a beautiful boy dog but list him due to age and he was also rescued from abuse so he had a lot of trauma and injuries. Any info would be appreciated
    Reply
    - SDC says: October 10, 2022
      Unfortunately we do not provide referrals or recommendations for service dog adoptions or training. We hope you find the help you need however and wish you the best. We would be happy to help you if and when you do qualify for a service dog.
      Reply

Disabilities that Qualify You for a Service Dog

Definition of “Disability” under the Americans with Disabilities Act