This Training Is Important

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, pet ownership has surged. With more pets, there are more people who want to bring their pets everywhere with them, regardless of safety. It is becoming increasingly important to learn how to best protect the rights and dignity of disabled individuals with Service Dogs, and prevent the abuse of those protections.

Protect Your Business – Avoid legal risks, liability, and fines by ensuring your team understands and correctly enforces ADA service dog laws.

Empower Your Employees – Staff often feel unequipped to handle service dog situations. We provide clear, practical training so they can act with confidence and professionalism.

Prevent Unsafe Situations – Fake or untrained service dogs can be disruptive and dangerous. Our training teaches you how to recognize and remove problem dogs while staying compliant.

Deliver White-Glove Service – Great customer service and ADA compliance go hand in hand. We train your team to handle tough situations professionally while maintaining an inclusive, welcoming environment.

With Gold Paw Standard, your business will be prepared, compliant, and trusted—giving you the tools to protect your customers, your staff, and your reputation.

We answer questions like…

  • Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.  The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.

  • No one. There are individuals and organizations that sell service animal certification or registration documents online. These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA and the Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that the dog is a service animal.

  • No...and yes. While the ADA protects the rights of individuals with disabilities, the ADA also wants to ensure that the right people and the right dogs are protected.

    If a service animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, staff may request that the animal be removed from the premises. There are some specific behaviors that are outlined by the ADA as “out of control” to help navigate situations.

  • Yes! And no. While any breed can be a service dog, service dogs must be well-behaved and within the control of their handlers at all times. They must also trained to perform a job or task for a person with a disability.

…and much much more

We Know Our Stuff

We've seen it all—the good, the bad, and the downright dangerous. As an experienced service dog handler, our founder has encountered untrained staff, disruptive fake service dogs, and businesses unsure of their rights and responsibilities. From grocery stores to gyms, airplanes to restaurants, and shopping malls to hotels, we've witnessed firsthand how a lack of knowledge leads to unsafe situations, legal risks, and poor customer experiences.

That’s why Gold Paw Standard exists. We know the law, we know what works, and we know how to train your team to handle service dog situations with confidence and professionalism. Whether it’s preventing liability, maintaining compliance, or ensuring white-glove customer service, we give your business the tools to navigate service dog policies the right way.