Service Dog Licensing in Thurston County, Washington?
This has been a run-a-round situation. I was told to go to the Auditors office to have my dog licensed as a service dog. He has all the paper work and everything he needs. It just comes down to his license to say “service dog” Someone who has delt with this or knows where I can go. Please do help, it would be much appreciated.
If you are handicap/disabled, and your dog is trained to mitigate your disability, it is up to you to be able to prove that, such as guiding you if you are visually impaired, offering balance and counter balance if you have mobility issues. If you want your dog to be able to go to therapeutic situations, such as hospitals and assisted living facilities, then your dog is NOT a service dog, but a therapy dog. Therapy dogs and emotional support animals do NOT have public access.
If you fraudulently state that your dog is a service dog and it is not, the fines and penalties can be very harsh, including jail time and possible forfeiture of future social security benefits.
There is no licensing of service dogs. Some municipalities offer discounted licenses for service dogs upon proof of the 2 years of training it takes for a service dog. If you received your dog from an ADI (Assistance Dog International) accredited program, then you would receive the appropriate paperwork proving the extensive training.