Animal Assistance Programs and Services

Animal assistance programs and services are designed to support individuals with disabilities and their assistance animals. These programs provide crucial resources and accommodations to ensure a smooth and safe experience for both the individual and their animal.

Service dogs, for example, are trained to assist individuals with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, hearing, mobility, and seizure disorders. They can perform tasks such as guiding their owners through public spaces, alerting them to important sounds, and providing balance support.

Assistance animals, including emotional support animals, can also play a vital role in an individual's life. These animals provide comfort and emotional support, which can be especially important for individuals with mental health conditions or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Here's an interesting read: How to Get Dogs Registered as Emotional Support Animals

Service animals are trained to do a specific task for their owner, like a guide dog. They're allowed in public accommodations because their owner needs them at all times.

An assistance animal, on the other hand, can be any type of companion animal, not just a dog. A letter from a medical doctor or therapist is all that's needed to classify an animal as an assistance or emotional support animal.

Some examples of assistance animals include cats that detect seizures, dogs that alleviate depression or anxiety, cats that reduce stress-induced pain, and birds that alert hard-of-hearing companions.

If you think your pet is an assistance animal, you'll need to provide your landlord with a letter from your doctor or therapist. This letter should explain how your pet is needed to help you cope with your disability and/or improve its symptoms.

Here are some examples of assistance animals:

To demonstrate that your pet is an assistance animal, you'll also need to attach a brief personal statement to the letter. This statement should explain that you're asking for a reasonable accommodation to keep your pet, who functions as a support animal.

Surrendering a pet can be a difficult decision, but there are resources available to help. If you live in RASKC's service area, you can surrender your dog or cat by appointment.

It may take eight to ten weeks to get an appointment, and the process typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. Be sure to bring a valid photo ID and any veterinary records you may have for your pet.

If you're considering rehoming your pet, you can start by filling out the owner surrender form. A RASKC representative will contact you to gather more information about you and your pet, and to make an appointment.

If you're facing the difficult decision to give up your pet, there are resources available to help. We accept dog and cat surrenders by appointment for owners who live in RASKC's service area, but it may take eight to ten weeks to get an appointment.

Dogs on Deployment connects active duty, reservists, National Guard, veterans, and first-responders with volunteers who will care for their pets while they have service commitments. This can be a huge relief for those with service commitments.

If you need to surrender your pet, start by filling out the RASKC owner surrender form. A RASKC representative will contact you to gather more information about you and your pet, and to make an appointment.

Pets for Patriots offers free memberships to U.S. veterans, providing them with a $150 pet gift card, discounts on vet care and pet supplies, as well as post-adoption follow up calls. This can be a great option for veterans who need to give up their pet.

You'll need to bring a valid photo ID and any veterinary records you may have for your animal to your surrender appointment. This will help the RASKC staff understand your pet's needs and find them a new home.

Here are some organizations that can help you give up your pet:

If you're considering rehoming a pet, you can stay up-to-date on all adoptions, specials, and events by signing up for updates.

Many shelters and rescue organizations have online platforms where you can browse available pets and even apply to adopt online.

Rehoming a pet can be a great option for people who are moving, have changed their lifestyle, or simply can't care for their pet anymore.