05/31/2026
Introducing our latest team member, Ekko! Ekko is a service dog in training for our Marketing and Sales Support lead, Aunah. Starting tomorrow, Ekko will start joining us at our shop to continue to learn how to support her. 🦮
What is a service dog (SD)?
A SD is a highly trained dog that supports a person with a diagnosed disability by performing trained tasks. Each service dog is unique and supports its handler’s specific physical, sensory, psychiatric, or intellectual limitations.
How do I know if a dog is a service dog?
A fully trained service dog is well behaved and focused on the handler, even in busy and distracting environments. Often service dog handlers put their dogs in a harness to signal that their dog is working and should not be distracted. However, this is not a legal requirement, and even when a dog is not in vest, they are still a service animal. There are two questions you are legally allowed to ask a handler, per the ADA guidelines:
•Is your dog a service animal?
•What task is the dog trained to perform?
If the dog is a true service dog, the handler will be able to answer both questions.
A service dog can legally be denied use of a public or private space in the following circumstances:
•The animal is not housebroken or has an accident indoors.
•The dog growls, snaps, bites, or lunges at people.
•The dog barks excessively (not related to a trained task) or wanders off-leash.
•In rare, highly specific cases (such as a sterile operating room or intensive care unit), the animal’s presence compromises legitimate safety requirements.
What are the legal rights and restrictions for a service dog in training (SDIT)?
In Utah, SDITs have the same legal public access rights as fully trained service animals. Under state law, handlers are legally permitted to bring a SDIT into public spaces, though the animal must be a dog and must be controlled at all times. Handlers are encouraged to introduce SDITs to new environments slowly, and only when the dog is ready to behave appropriately in the given space.
