Good dogs, different jobs Service dogs, therapy dogs, emotional support animals. Is there a difference? According to the American Kennel Club, yes. SERVICE DOGS are individually trained to perform tasks directly related to an individual’s disability. They are the most extensively trained and have legally protected public access under the Americans with Disabilities Act. THERAPY DOGS provide comfort in places such as medical facilities, libraries, schools and disaster scenes. Their handlers often volunteer and the dogs undergo training in behavior and obedience. Some programs require third-party certification. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS provide emotional support, well-being or companionship. They are not considered service dogs under the ADA and don’t have the same public access rights. They generally can go wherever pets are allowed and have certain protections under the Fair Housing Act.
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The dogs were certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs following a three-day test where the dogs are expected to perform well in multiple public scenarios. “There are great benefits. They help with healing, with
they were certified. They still undergo regular training to reinforce what they’ve learned. That includes knowing commands like “sit,” “stay,” “paws up.” They are trained to wait at doors and stay in a sit position even when Griffin or Healy walk away until they hear the command “come.” The dogs work with Chandler-based trainer Pam Beasley, who enforces positive training methods in public spaces by exposing them to a variety of scenarios, from different noises to being pet in different ways by different people. “It emulates situations they would be in once they’re certified,” Beasley said.
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While Hope and Honey stick to the library and hospital, other therapy dogs are often paired with high stress agencies like police agencies, fire departments and morgues. Others work with senior and special needs communities. “Everyone can benefit from therapy dogs,” Beasley said. Griffin agreed. “All we do is make people happy,” she said.
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InMaricopa.com | October 2026
October 2026 | InMaricopa.com
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