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Welcome to my web page. My name is Carol King, and I have been a licensed Service & Therapy Dog Consultant since 1996.

I would not wish being disabled on anyone. However, had I not become disabled, I would never have found my "calling." Using a Service Dog changed my life. Finding information about the Laws regarding Service/Assistance Dogs and the training needed was like unearthing Industrial Secrets.

I promised myself that if I could help it, no one else would have to go through what I did to get the information on Laws and Training for Service/Assistance Dogs. This promise to me is what this website is about, as well as most of the work I do.

Definitions

Service Dog = The wording of Federal and most State Laws is: Guide Hearing and Service Dogs (other than guide and hearing, any other type of dog trained to assist people with disabilities would be called a Service Dog.) Under new Department of Justice guidelines, only dogs can be Service Dog.
Assistance Dog = Any dog trained to assist a person with disabilities (including guide and hearing.) Under new DOJ guidelines, only Dogs can be Assistance Animals.
Therapy Dog = Dog and Handler working team, visiting Rehabilitation Facilities, Nursing Homes, Etc. Doing Animal Assisted Activities or Animal Assisted Therapy (Working with a Physical, Occupation, Speech, Hearing, and Recreational Therapist.)
Emotional Support or Companion Animal = A pet not "task" trained or Most likely "public access" trained. Gives comfort to the person who may or may not be disabled. Not covered for legal public (except in housing )

Consultations

Business Policies and Procedures for ADA compliance
Development of customized written facility (Hospital, Clinic, Doctor's Office, etc.)
Service Dog Policy for Inpatient and Visitor
Working with Attorney in regards to Service Dog issues
Qualified as a court expert witness
Conducting training workshop for personnel regarding Federal and California State Laws regarding Service Dogs
Conducting training workshops for personnel regarding types of disabilities. Service Dogs can be trained to help mitigate (Physical and Occupational Therapists, Audiologists, etc.)
Troubleshooting: Responding to facility staff questions/concerns regarding Service Dogs

Services for Businesses/Medical Facilities

Training or Consultations for: Businesses, city, county, state, federal agencies, Hospitals, Clinics, Doctor's Offices, etc.

Why do we need an assistance dog policy (ADA and/or medical model)
What is a service dog policy?
How is it used?
ER decisions made in a crisis could cost the hospital a law suit
Why have a written policy (you will save many times the training fee by avoiding your first lawsuit, or in CA. The first penal code violation of $4,000)

Determining the Needs of the Facility

Discussion of education needs for facility staff
Discussion of training needs for all personnel on staff
Discussion of facility standards/expectations
Touring the facility and grounds
Addressing infection control concerns (for medical facilities)
Meeting with necessary departments for determining the implementation of clients using assistant dogs or employees using assistance dogs

Services for Individuals

Assistance with Property Management (eviction threats)
Businesses denying access to Service dog
Information on what a Service Dog could do for you
What type of Service Dog do you really need
Where to find organizations that place Service Dogs
How to screen organizations to NOT be taken advantage of
What "task" will stand up in Court
What to look for in a good Civil Rights Attorney