Accessibility Educational Material

Do you know the difference between support animals?

Service Dogs are specially trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities, including guiding those with vision loss or assisting those with physical disabilities. In many provinces, service dogs are legally recognized and protected, granting them access to public places when accompanied by their handler.

Therapy Dogs are trained to provide comfort and support in various settings such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. They do not have individual owners with disabilities but work with their handlers to provide therapeutic benefits to others. They do not have the same access rights as service dogs.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) provide comfort and support to their owners through companionship. ESAs do not require specific training, and their recognition varies by province. In some cases, they are allowed in housing under certain conditions, but they generally do not have public access rights like service dogs.

Each type of animal plays a distinct role and it is important to not distract the animal, talk to the handler and not the animal, give them space to work, and follow the guidance of the handler on interaction.