I wanted to prove a hypothesis I’d had for years as a service dog handler, something anyone who’s ever walked with a dog already knows in their bones: that a dog beside you changes the way the world sees you.

After decades of training service dogs, you'd think I'd have it all figured out by now. But recently, a five-month-old puppy reminded me of something fundamental.

What truly sets service dogs apart is the intensive, specialized training that transforms them into life-changing partners.

How do you know if your dog is capable of becoming a service animal? And how do you prepare your dog for such a big leap in responsibilities?