I posted earlier re: the fact that I plan on training Kodee to be a therapy dog. I just started looking at vests/capes for him to wear. Someone else posted to my OP that they bought their dog a vest that said "Therapy Dog In-Training." I think that's a great idea, as I could probably get Kodee into other stores/public places besides just Petsmart. LOL. There's only a limited amount of things to experience at the pet stores, and so far those are the only "public indoor places" I've taken him to. I'd like to expose him to much more, and a vest seems like the way to do this.

I really like one of the vests that Leerburg sells (the one I'm looking at is the Training Cape Product #1111. I like that vest b/c of the way it's made/looks, but I wondered if a "therapy dog" is the same as a "service dog." I don't want to be misleading (bragging about the wrong thing. Ha ha). Would that vest be appropriate? Or should I go with something else? The other vest I considered from Leerburg is the Cape Vest (Product #760) but for $42.00, I don't like that vest nearly as much. The other one is much nicer looking IMO, and almost the same price.

What do you think? I will also look online at other vendors, but I know Leerburg's stuff is top quality, so I checked here first.

Thanks for your input!

A therapy dog is NOT the same as a service dog. A service dog is usually a dog that assists a handicapped person, or works with the police. These dogs MUST be allowed in all places. A therapy dog is in a different 'voluntary' category, so doesn't fall under the same rules/laws as a service dog. I know that some folks have purchased the service dog vest to prevent people from just randomly walking up to their dog, and there's no reason that isn't okay. I'm not sure about the ethics of using this vest to gain access to places that dogs aren't normally allowed though. I don't think I would do it. I've actually had pretty good luck with asking permission to have access to different environments, with the support of my local organization. I just purchased a 'therapy dog' bandanna from Leerburg that's REALLY nice...that might work too. Our organization has their own for when the dogs are on duty, but the one I got from Leerburg lets me bring my dog to work

 Quote: kori bigge

I really like one of the vests that Leerburg sells (the one I'm looking at is the Training Cape Product #1111. I like that vest b/c of the way it's made/looks, but I wondered if a "therapy dog" is the same as a "service dog." I don't want to be misleading (bragging about the wrong thing. Ha ha). Would that vest be appropriate? Or should I go with something else? The other vest I considered from Leerburg is the Cape Vest (Product #760) but for $42.00, I don't like that vest nearly as much. The other one is much nicer looking IMO, and almost the same price.

Thanks for your input!

I'm trying to train my dog to be a service dog the preparation and hoops that government make you jump through is not easy. IMHO a Service dog is a far cry from a therapy dog. Sorry to be frank but using a service dog vest to gain access into public places when your animal is not even in training to be a service dog is not only unethical but most likely illegal in many states and municipalities.

OK, that answered my question. I suspected as much, which is why I asked. Since my OP, I found some "Therapy Dog" vests on another site, and you can buy the "In-Training" Patches that velcro on. So I will go that route.

Thanks for your input!

Whoo-hoo! I ordered Kodee's vest! I can't wait til it gets here. It has a "Please ask to pet me, I'm friendly" patch in the center of the back, and "Therapy Dog", "In Training" patches on each side. I feel like we are officially on our way to becoming a therapy team! LOL!