Frequently asked questions

A service dog is trained to perform specific functional tasks related to the handler's individual needs. Good behavior, a vest or having a single document does not by itself determine a dog's service dog status.

More about the differences →

A service dog is trained for special tasks. An emotional support animal may provide emotional support through its presence but is usually not defined by performing trained functional tasks. Access and transport rules depend on the specific jurisdiction and organization.

No. Health, behavior, ability to learn, reaction to the environment, interaction with the handler and the ability to safely perform the required tasks are all taken into account. The decision requires an individual assessment.

There is no universal list of suitable breeds. What matters more are the dog's individual traits, health, stability, physical ability and fit with the intended tasks.

Whether we can work with a specific dog is determined after the initial assessment. The starting level, behavior, health, age, tasks and the conditions in which the team will work are taken into account.

Certain stages can take place remotely: consultations, review of materials, feedback and support of independent practice. Whether in-person sessions or assessment are needed depends on the program and the team's condition.

The duration depends on the starting level, the complexity of tasks, the regularity of sessions, the dog's health, the handler's skills and the working conditions. No universal timeframe is set.

Depending on the program, the work may include an initial assessment, a training plan, basic skills, special tasks, work in public settings, feedback, training recordings and preparation for assessment.

How training works →

The format may include work by the handler, support from a specialist and the involvement of partner sites. The specific division of tasks is determined by the program and the available format of work.

No. Completing sessions or paying for a program does not guarantee a positive assessment result. The decision must be based on actually meeting the set criteria.

Controllability, behavior in public settings, reaction to people and animals, safety, interaction with the handler and performance of special tasks may be assessed.

What is assessed in a public place →

A GAV certificate or other documentation may record completion of a specific procedure, the assessment result, the tasks checked and the status of the entry. The exact content depends on the type of document.

No. A certificate does not replace the requirements of a particular country, carrier, institution or other organization and does not guarantee automatic access or boarding a flight.

More about documentation →

Enter the certificate number on the document verification page — it shows the main details about the team. For extended verification (for example, for an airline or a government body), send an official request to [email protected]. Do not send unnecessary medical data.

Document verification →  ·  Write to GAV →

GAV International Service Dog Training LLC is registered in the State of Wyoming, USA. Operations are coordinated from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

GAV works with partner training sites in Cyprus and in Belgrade, Serbia. Available services, the involvement of specialists and the possibility of carrying out individual stages are confirmed individually.

Centers and sites →

No. A partner site is not a branch, office or separate legal unit of GAV. Its functions and scope of involvement are agreed separately.

This depends on the program, the availability of specialists and the agreed format of work. Having a partner site does not mean the final assessment is automatically available.

GAV's public communication is available in English and Spanish. Support in another language is clarified individually.