service dog in ny state?

[Katie]

For starters it is illegal to register a dog as a service dog UNLESS/UNTIL you have medical documentiaton that you require a service dog. This is unlike some other States.

First thing you do is get such a letter from your heatlh care provider.

This is what the NYS Dept of Health says:

“... 22. "Service dog" means any dog that has been or is being individually TRAINED to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, provided that the dog is or will be owned by such person or that person's parent, guardian or other legal representative.

23. "Person with a disability" means any person with a disability as that term is defined in subdivision twenty-one of section two hundred ninety-two of the executive law.

Identifying a Service Dog/Animal

Service animals may include dogs of any breed or size as well as other animals including, but not limited to birds, primates and ponies. The EMS provider may ask the following types of questions when presented with a service animal:

"Is this a service dog?" or "Does your animal have legal allowances?"
"Is the service animal required because of a disability?"
The EMS provider may NOT ask about the nature or extent of the patient's disability except as it relates to patient care.”

http://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/e.../07-01.htm

It is NOT just a matter of applying to a registry! Getting your name placed on a list without meeting NYS law is the same as the fake AKC sites which exist and which people use to "prove" their dog is registered.