Service Dogs in Canada: Everything You Need to Know
Your comprehensive guide to service dogs, psychiatric service dogs (PSDs), and emotional support animals (ESAs) — including requirements, training, documentation, and your legal rights in Canada.
What is a Service Dog?
A service dog is a dog that has been individually trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability. The tasks the dog performs must be directly related to the handler’s disability.
Key Legal Point
In Canada, service dogs are protected under provincial accessibility laws. There is no federal registration requirement — a dog is considered a service dog based on the tasks it performs, not a certificate or ID card.
Task-Trained
Must perform at least one specific task that directly helps with your disability. Simply providing comfort is not enough.
Public Access
Service dogs can accompany their handlers in all public places, including restaurants, stores, and hospitals.
No Breed Restrictions
Any breed of dog can be a service dog. There are no size, breed, or age requirements — only training matters.
Service Dog vs. PSD vs. ESA
Understanding the differences is crucial for knowing your rights and getting the proper documentation.
| Feature | Service Dog | Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) | Emotional Support Animal (ESA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Trained to perform tasks for physical disabilities | Trained to perform tasks for mental health disabilities | Provides comfort through companionship |
| Task Training Required | |||
| Public Access Rights | |||
| Housing Protection | |||
| Airline Travel (Cabin) | |||
| Species | Dogs only | Dogs only | Any animal (dogs, cats, etc.) |
Important: 2021 Airline Rule Change
Since January 2021, ESAs no longer have special airline rights in Canada and the US. Only trained psychiatric service dogs can fly in the cabin for free. ESAs are now treated as pets by most airlines.
Service Dog Tasks
Service dogs can be trained to perform a wide variety of tasks. Here are common examples for both physical and psychiatric disabilities.
Psychiatric Service Dog Tasks
Deep pressure therapy, interrupting self-harm, alerting to anxiety attacks, grounding during dissociation, reminding to take medication, waking from nightmares.
Mobility Service Dog Tasks
Retrieving dropped items, opening doors, turning on lights, providing balance support, pulling wheelchairs, helping with dressing.
Medical Alert Tasks
Alerting to seizures, detecting blood sugar changes, responding to allergen exposure, alerting to heart rate changes.
Common PSD Tasks for Mental Health Conditions
Service Dog Rights in Canada
Understanding your legal protections helps you navigate public access with confidence.
Housing Rights
Landlords must allow service dogs and ESAs in “no pets” buildings. They cannot charge pet fees or deposits. You may need to provide documentation.
Public Access
Service dogs (including PSDs) can go anywhere the public can go — restaurants, stores, hospitals, schools. Staff can only ask two questions.
Air Travel
Service dogs fly free in the cabin. Airlines require documentation (DOT form) submitted 48 hours before departure. ESAs no longer have airline rights.
The Two Questions Rule
Staff may only ask: (1) “Is this a service dog required for a disability?” and (2) “What task is the dog trained to perform?” They cannot ask about your diagnosis, require documentation, or demand a demonstration.
Service Dog Documentation
While service dogs don’t require certification, proper documentation can make housing, travel, and public access much smoother.
Clinical Evaluation
A licensed mental health professional evaluates whether you have a qualifying disability and whether a service dog would help mitigate your symptoms.
Documentation Letter
If approved, you receive a clinical letter on professional letterhead confirming your need for a service dog or ESA. This is used for housing and travel.
Airline Forms (For Travel)
For air travel with a service dog, you’ll need DOT-compliant forms. TheraPetic provides pre-filled forms for Air Canada, WestJet, and other carriers.
Optional: ID Card & Registration
While not required by law, an ID card can help reduce confrontations and provide quick verification for businesses.
Beware of Scams
There is no official “service dog registry” in Canada or the US. Companies that claim to provide “official certification” or “national registration” are misleading. Legitimate documentation comes from licensed healthcare providers.
🐾 Ready to Get Started?
Take our free 3-minute screening to see if you qualify for service dog or ESA documentation. If approved, you can receive your clinical letter the same day.
Start Free Screening →