Service Dogs vs Therapy Dogs vs Emotional Support Dogs: What’s the Difference?

Service dog. Therapy dog. Emotional support animal. Most people use these terms interchangeably. Most people are wrong.

And that confusion has real consequences — for handlers who get denied access, for businesses trying to navigate the law fairly, and for the dogs themselves.

In this episode, Tim breaks down exactly what separates these three roles — not just in theory, but in practice. What each type of dog is trained to do, what legal rights each one carries in Canada, and why understanding the difference matters more than most people realise.

Topics covered:

• The legal definition of a service dog in Canada and what that actually means for public access
• Why emotional support animals do not have the same rights as service dogs — and why that distinction exists
• What therapy dogs do, where they work, and who they serve
• How confusion between these three roles affects legitimate handlers every single day
• What businesses can and cannot ask when a dog enters their premises

This episode is essential listening for:
Handlers, families considering a service dog, businesses wanting to get it right, and anyone who has ever wondered why someone's dog is allowed somewhere yours isn't.

🎧 Listen now and follow Paws on Point — Canada's service dog podcast.
🐾 Learn more or donate at pawsabilitiesservicedogs.ca
📩 Got a question or story? info@pawsabilitiesservicedogs.ca

#ServiceDog #TherapyDog #EmotionalSupportAnimal #ServiceDogCanada #PawsOnPoint #Pawsabilities #CanadianPodcast #DisabilityAdvocacy #AccessibilityRights #ServiceDogRights #PublicAccess #ServiceDogHandler #DisabilityInclusion #BCServiceDog #ServiceDogAwareness