Although there are numerous websites offering to certify or register service dogs and emotional support animals, these services are not in any way legitimate proof of an assistance animal's status, nor are they recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Buying a certificate or even a service dog vest does not make your pet a service dog and is just a waste of your hard-earned money. In Kansas, it is illegal to falsely present a pet as a service animal. A 2015 Kansas Statute makes it a class A nonperson misdemeanor for a person to misrepresent an animal as a service dog, or to misrepresent a disability in order to acquire a service animal.

Under Kansas law, a Class A nonperson misdemeanor may be punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. Under the ADA, a service dog must be individually TRAINED to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Service animals can be professionally trained or trained by the handler themselves.

The State of Kansas (K.S.A. 39-1113) defines an assistance dog as "any guide dog, hearing assistance dog, service dog or professional therapy dog" and then defines each of these types of dogs. These dogs must be specially selected, trained, and tested to perform a variety of tasks for persons with disabilities.

Unfortunately, the reality is most websites that offer registration or certification for service animals or emotional support animals are in it to make money and aren't giving you anything of legal value. Not only is there no official certifying organization for service dogs, the ADA does not require service animals to be specially certified or registered with any company or organization nor do you have to present certification for public access.

However, both federal and state laws do require TRAINING! As required by Kansas, K.S.A. 39-1101, MuttSchool will provide you with an ID card upon completion of our program as proof that your dog has training.