Service Dogs in Training

I am frequently asked by strangers in public places if I am training Isaac.  I think I am asked that because I don't look disabled (whatever that means).  My standard response is, "No, he is already trained."  I thought I would point out some things about service dogs in training, though, which I think many people are not aware of.

• Just because a person doesn't look disabled, that does not mean they are training the service dog they have with them.  Many disabilities are not readily apparent, including seizure disorders, autism and other disorders on the autism spectrum, major depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and other anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, dissociative identify disorder and other dissociative disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, unstable diabetes and hypoglycemia, partial hearing loss, and traumatic brain injury.  I'm sure there are plenty of others that are not coming to mind at the moment.
• Service dogs in training often, though not always, wear vests that say something like, "Service Dog in Training" on them.  Federal law doesn't require service dogs to wear vests and federal law doesn't mention service dogs in training at all, but some state laws may require vests for dogs in training.  Isaac's vest clearly says, "Service Dog," which is an indication that he is fully trained.  A service dog in training would not typically be wearing a vest that says, "Service Dog."  A dog in training would wear a vest that says, 'In Training."
• The federal law that gives people with disabilities the right to take their service dogs into public places with them, the Americans with Disabilities Act, does not address the issue of service dogs in training.  In other words, the ADA says a person with a disability can take a trained service dog to Walmart but does not say anyone can take a service dog in training to Walmart.  Most states have laws that address service dogs in training, though.  Those laws vary from state to state.  In Ohio, where I live, only professional trainers working for programs that train service dogs have the legal right to take service dogs in training into public places.  It would be legal for me to train my own service dog, but the law does not require that Walmart allow me to train my dog there.  For me to take a service dog I was training into Walmart, I would have to ask for and receive permission from the manager.
• While federal law, the Americans with Disabilities Act, applies to people with all disabilities, some state laws regarding service dogs and service dogs in training only apply to people with certain disabilities.  For instance, in Ohio, state law only requires businesses to allow service dogs in training if the dogs are being trained to serve people with visual impairments, hearing impairments, or physical disabilities.  If a professional trainer working for a program that trains service dogs is training a dog to serve someone with, say, PTSD, Walmart does not have to allow her to bring the dog in.
• Service dogs in training are still expected to behave appropriately in public.  Business owners, and other customers, may be more tolerant if they realize a dog is in training.  After all, if his behavior was perfect, he wouldn't need training, would he?  Still, if a service dog in training is bothering other customers or otherwise being disruptive, the trainer can be asked to remove the dog.