From highly trained psychiatric service animals to companion pets, Joybound trains dogs and cats to connect with humans in a wide variety of ways. While any animal can provide much-needed companionship, the unique abilities of our working animals make each of them a lifeline to those battling mental health challenges, drastically enhancing their independence and security.
What Types of Animals Are There?
Here is a look at the six different types of working and companion animals you’ll see from Joybound, each of whom fits a specific set of criteria and has unique privileges in the community:
Psychiatric Service Dogs
Service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs, are trained in specific tasks to assist a person with a disability.
- They are allowed anywhere their handlers are permitted, like a movie theater, hospital, or restaurant.
- They are highly trained and socialized to be safe in public.
Service Dogs In-Training (SDiT)
Service dog candidates are learning to assist a person with a disability.
- Generally, they have the same public access rights as a certified service animal. The only difference is they may need to provide proof that they are working with an organization towards certification.
Facility Dogs & Cats
Facility animals are trained in specific tasks to work alongside professionals and assist their clients.
- Clients include those in a healthcare or educational setting.
- They are allowed in the handler’s workplace, but not in other public places that are normally off limits to pets.
Therapy Dogs & Cats
Therapy animals are certified pets who provide comfort to many people.
- They provide comfort to people in libraries, schools, hospitals, or other settings.
- They only wear vests during approved visits.
- They aren’t allowed in places that are normally off limits to pets.
Emotional Support Dogs & Cats
Emotional support animals provide comfort to people with mental health conditions.
- They are allowed in housing, even properties with no-pet policies.
- They are not allowed in public places that are normally off limits to pets.
Companion Dogs & Cats (Pets)
Companion animals bring love and happiness to their families, without any special training or jobs.
- They are not allowed in any places that are normally off-limits to pets.
- They don’t need any additional or specialized training.
Is An Assistance Animal Right for You?
Joybound’s Shelter to Service program transforms shelter animals into highly-trained assistance animals for individuals and facilities. We offer a free, personalized matching service to connect each applicant with an animal who will complement their lifestyle and help them achieve their goals.
Learn more about the Shelter to Service program or submit an inquiry to get started.
