We all know animals are incredible. They make great companions for anyone, young or old. Dogs have a reputation for being man's best friend, and they really do live up to this nickname - especially those trained to be service dogs.

Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, people across the country living with a disability have been guaranteed the right to keep a service animal to protect and assist them.

Service animals are life-changing for people with both physical and mental disabilities. According to ShareAmerica, nearly half a million service dogs are helping people with disabilities every day.

Service animals, particularly canines, can be life-changing assets for folks with physical disabilities and those suffering from severe mental disabilities or a history of trauma.

Here, we cover service dogs and how California state and federal law affects them. These laws determine what protections extend to both the owners and the animals.