What Is AKC Registration of Your ESA Dog

All dog owners can attest to the loyal companionship that these four-legged friends have brought into their lives. However, for those suffering from emotional or mental issues, dogs are crucial for their normal daily functioning. For them, the dogs are emotional support animals (ESAs) that help them cope with the challenges of their conditions that might otherwise compromise their quality of life.

Keep your ESA pet close – Click the button below!

Get ESA Letter Now

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a leading registry of dogs used as ESAs in the U.S. Most people ask, ‘what is AKC registration?’ By registering your dog with the AKC, you can access different ESA training programs, the most popular AKC Canine Good Citizen test. This is basic training where your dog will be taught good manners, like sitting down and reacting appropriately to people. The training is recognized as one of the highest dog behavior standards and prepares your dog for its role as an ESA.

Below are some tidbits that will broaden your understanding of an AKC registration for your ESA.

Perks of AKC Registration

There are different care and complimentary perks that come with an AKC registration to ensure your dog is healthy enough to be the best ESA for you and others.

Dog Breeds with Wins

These include:

• Your dog’s registration in the AKC registry and a frameable certificate from the organization. The record of your dog in the registry will make it easy to trace its lineage later.
• Optional registration packages comprise an AKC collar tag that comes with lifetime recovery services, a dog training video, and a year’s subscription to the AKC family dog magazine.
• A complimentary AKC pet insurance 30-day trial. You will get details about the coverage’s benefits shortly after registering your ESA.
• A complimentary certificate for your first vet visit.
• Eligibility for your dog to take part in dog sports.
• Eligibility for your dog to earn titles.

Types of AKC Therapy Dog Titles

For some time, AKC received requests from the owners of ESAs who wished that the organization could recognize the good work their dogs are doing as volunteers helping people dealing with mental health issues. It thus started an AKC Therapy Dog program with different titles awarded to dogs and dog owners who give their time to volunteer as therapy dogs or part of teams. The titles are earned by dogs that have undergone certification by organizations recognized by the AKC and completed a specified number of visits.

Click the button below to keep your ESA pet legally!

Get ESA Letter Now

Below are the AKC Therapy Dog titles your ESA can earn:

• THDN {AKC Therapy Dog Novice} earned after a dog completes ten visits to someone helping to deal with a mental health condition.
• THD {AKC Therapy Dog} earned after 50 visits as an ESA.
• THDA {AKC Therapy Dog Advanced} earned after 100 visits as an ESA.
• THDX {AKC Therapy Dog Excellent} earned after completing 200 visits to someone with mental health issues.
• THDD {AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished} earned after 400 visits as an ESA.

Role of Emotional Support Animals

How to Earn an AKC Title

For your dog to qualify for an AKC Therapy Dog title, it must meet the criteria below:

• Be registered to a therapy dog organization recognized by the AKC.
• Complete the number of visits needed for a specific title. There is a Therapy Dog Record of Visits Sheet that you can use to track your number of visits.
• The dog should be listed or registered with the AKC and have a specific number. These numbers include an AKC registration number for purebreds with listed parents, the PALS number for purebreds that do not have AKC registration or the Canine Partners number for non-registrable or mixed breeds.

All dogs, irrespective of their breeds, are eligible to get an AKC Therapy Dog title provided they meet the above criteria.

Your ESA Dog can be your best companion – Click the button below!

Get ESA Letter Now

How You Can Apply For an AKC Therapy Dog Title

If your dog meets the AKC Therapy Dog title’s eligibility criteria, you can visit the AKC website and complete an application form, then pay the indicated recording fee. AKC accepts different forms of payment, so you are sure to find one that suits you. If, for any reason, the AKC rejects your application, you will get a notification, and your money will be refunded.  In most cases, applications are rejected for dogs that do not meet a title’s criteria.

With a therapy dog certification, you can use the special skills and training that your dog has earned in different settings. For instance, in courtrooms, disaster-relief settings, airports, hospitals, mental health institutions, and schools to calm down people battling different emotional issues. Before putting the dog to work as an ESA, you need an ESA letter to source from here easily. Unlike other organizations, our ESA letters are recognized by major institutions and allow you access to the legal protections.

Get your Emotional Support Animal Letter today by booking an appointment at ESACare.

Get Your ESA Letter