Across the United States, service dogs are more than companions—they’re essential partners in safety and independence for thousands of people with disabilities. These highly trained animals help their handlers navigate everyday life, whether by detecting allergens, guiding the visually impaired, or providing support for mental health conditions. But their vital role is being threatened by a troubling and growing issue: fake service dogs.
Untrained pets in service vests are slipping into spaces meant for real service animals, and the consequences are serious. From public skepticism to safety incidents, the presence of fake service dogs is making life harder for those who genuinely rely on their canine partners.
Many businesses, once welcoming to service dogs, are now tightening restrictions. Some have banned all animals, including legitimate service dogs, due to repeated bad experiences. Reports have surfaced of so-called service animals urinating on furniture, contaminating food, biting employees, and driving away customers. According to Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit that trains service dogs, this behavior has created a wave of distrust toward all animals in public spaces.
A 2022 survey by the organization found that two-thirds of service dog users reported that poorly trained or fake service dogs had negatively affected their independence and quality of life. These aren’t rare incidents. Nearly 93% of respondents said they had encountered a fake or uncontrolled service dog, and 79% said those dogs had interfered with or even attacked their trained animals.
For legitimate service dog handlers, these encounters aren’t just frustrating—they’re dangerous. Even a single negative interaction can damage a service dog’s focus and emotional stability, making it harder for the dog to perform life-saving tasks. Some handlers now avoid public places altogether, afraid of being denied access or of encountering an aggressive fake service dog.
According to Assistance Dogs International, real service dogs go through extensive and expensive training. They’re not just pets in vests—they’re highly skilled assistants trained for years to respond to specific disabilities. But because there’s no federal requirement for service dog certification, it’s easy for someone to buy a vest online and falsely claim their pet is a service animal.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) currently does not require service dog users to provide documentation or proof of training. While this protects the privacy of individuals with disabilities, it also leaves the system open to exploitation. Scammers can easily misrepresent their pets to gain access to restricted places or services.
Organizations like Canine Companions are calling for change. The group has launched a petition urging lawmakers to strengthen the ADA by making it illegal to misrepresent a disability or a service animal. Their goal was to collect 2,500 signatures—and by April 13, 2025, they had surpassed that number.
The push for reform isn’t just happening at the federal level. In Massachusetts, State Representative Kimberly Ferguson recently introduced a bill to investigate the problem within the state. Her proposal would create a 17-member commission to assess how widespread the issue of fake service dogs is and whether regulations like certification or licensing should be introduced.
Massachusetts is one of 16 states that currently lack clear laws banning the misrepresentation of pets as service animals. Some of those states do have rules specific to housing situations, but there’s no universal approach to public access. The commission would study whether a more comprehensive legal framework is needed to protect people with disabilities and ensure that only trained service dogs are granted public access privileges.
Organizations like NEADS World Class Service Dogs, based in Massachusetts, say the damage done by fake service dogs goes beyond temporary disruptions. They warn that these incidents undermine the very foundation of independence and trust that service dog teams rely on every day. The presence of untrained dogs leads to increased skepticism from business owners and the public, often resulting in unjust scrutiny or denial of access for legitimate users.
For people with disabilities, service dogs represent far more than convenience—they offer freedom, confidence, and safety. When trust in those dogs erodes, so does access to everyday life. People who rely on trained service dogs are being forced to stay home, not because of their disability, but because of a broken system that allows others to exploit it.
Advocates stress that action is needed. Whether through legislation, education, or stricter enforcement, the rights of people who depend on real service dogs must be protected. Businesses also need guidance on how to distinguish real service dogs from imposters without violating ADA protections.
Fake service dogs aren’t just a nuisance—they’re a threat to the independence and well-being of people with legitimate needs. The more they’re allowed to roam unchecked, the more doors close for those who need them the most.
For more information on how to support real service dog teams and efforts to stop fraudulent use, organizations like Canine Companions and NEADS offer resources and advocacy opportunities. The fight for credibility, access, and respect is far from over, but with public awareness and legal reform, real change is possible.
