Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Animals vs. Therapy Dogs: What the Terms Mean
A plain-English guide to the differences between service dogs, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs, with Florida and federal context.
Read guide →Florida • Service dogs • Practical safety
Better prepared teams, from sidewalk to storm season.
Clear, source-led guides for service-dog handlers, pet owners, businesses, and families navigating Florida heat, public spaces, travel, and emergency planning.
Independent, practical, source-ledFlorida-focused education for working-dog teams.
Important: This is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with, operated by, or a continuation of the former Florida Dog Guides FTD organization.
10 original guidesWritten specifically for this site.
Florida-first safetyHeat, pavement, storms, and travel.
Primary sourcesADA, Florida Statutes, DOT, FEMA, AVMA.
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Three focused sections keep legal basics, Florida environmental safety, and travel planning from being mixed into one generic dog blog.
Featured guides
View all 10 guides →Useful before the situation gets complicated
Service Dog Public Access in Florida: A Practical Guide for Handlers and Businesses
An educational overview of service dog public access in Florida, including the ADA two-question rule, control requirements, and common etiquette.
Read guide →Training Foundations for a Service Dog Candidate: Skills Before Advanced Tasks
A practical training framework for service dog candidates focused on calm behavior, reinforcement, public manners, and realistic expectations.
Read guide →Florida Heat Safety for Working Dogs: Plan the Day Before the Dog Gets Hot
Florida-specific heat safety for service and working dogs, including scheduling, hydration, cooling, warning signs, and emergency response.
Read guide →Hot Pavement and Paw Safety in Florida: A Better Routine Than Guessing
How to reduce paw-pad exposure to hot Florida pavement using route planning, surface choices, protective gear, and regular checks.
Read guide →Hurricane Preparedness for Service Dog Handlers in Florida
A Florida hurricane planning checklist for service dog teams covering evacuation, medications, records, relief supplies, transport, and backup support.
Read guide →Editorial approach
Useful information without pretending to be your veterinarian or attorney.
Health and legal topics are tied to primary sources, dated when freshness matters, and written with clear limits. We separate general education from individualized advice.
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