Under the ADA, service dogs are not required to wear a vest.
The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 defines a service dog (or any trainable animal for that matter) as one that is "individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability." Furthermore, the ADA decreed that national registration and certification is not required for service dogs that, under the law, can accompany their owners into any business or organization open to the public. A service dog must be able to help his or her owner complete various tasks, and be well-behaved in public.
Instructions
1. Determine whether you qualify as having a disability, as defined by the ADA: a person who "has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities."
2. Train your dog to perform at least two tasks to help you overcome your disability. There are no federally designated guidelines for training a service animal; in fact, many owners train their own dogs, as there are numerous resources available to this end. However, some states require that the dog is trained by a professional trainer or expert, or demand that all service animals pass a certification exam.
3. Consider registering your dog with a recognized organization, like the National Service Animal Registry (NSAR). While it is not a requirement, registration does present certain advantages: notably, you will receive a vest, patches and documentation indicating that your dog is a service animal. While service animals are not required to wear any identifying vests, doing so may allow you to avoid any confusion of your dog's status as a service animal. To register your dog you will have to complete a registration packet, which includes an application and your dog's picture.
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