ADA Service Dog Laws
You have legal rights in every city and state if you’re a service dog owner, thanks to one important U.S. federal law: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This law is the reason why you can take your service dog to restaurants, stores, hospitals, and other public spaces where pets can’t go. Under the ADA, you can be asked two questions for verification (is this a service dog for a disability, and what tasks does it perform?), but you can’t be required to have special identification, vests, certificates, registrations, or be forced to reveal sensitive details about your health.
Here are some frequently asked questions about service dog rights under the ADA.
In this article:
- What is a service animal under the ADA?
- How does the ADA define a disability?
- Where are service dogs allowed?
- Can I board flights with my service dog under the ADA?
- What questions am I allowed to ask a service dog owner?
- Do I need a professional trainer to train my service dog? Can I train my service dog myself?
- Which dog breeds can be service dogs?
- Does the ADA give service dog owners housing rights?
1. What is a service animal under the ADA?
The ADA defines a service animal as a dog that has been trained to do work or perform tasks for someone with a disability. Tasks include things like alerting people who are deaf, guiding people who are visually impaired, calming a person during an anxiety attack, reminding people to take medications, or protecting a person who is experiencing a seizure. Check out our list of service dog tasks for more examples.
Service dogs that assist with mental health issues or learning disabilities are called psychiatric service dogs (PSDs). Psychiatric service dogs have the exact same rights as service dogs that assist people with physical disabilities.
2. How does the ADA define a disability?
The ADA defines a “disability” as a “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” In plain English, that means you have a health condition (which can be physical or mental) that greatly affects your ability to do everyday things like work, socialize, sleep, or go to school.
Here’s what these conditions can look like in real life: A combat veteran whose dog interrupts nightmares and creates safe spaces in crowds, allowing them to finally hold down a job or enjoy dinner with family. Or think about someone with mobility challenges whose dog retrieves medications, opens doors, and provides stability, turning everyday tasks from exhausting battles into simple accomplishments. Even invisible conditions like diabetes benefit, with dogs trained to detect blood sugar drops through scent alone, alerting their handler before a life-threatening episode occurs.
Some people assume that service dogs are only for people who are visually or hearing impaired, but that’s far from the truth. The ADA recognizes a wide range of disabilities — check out our list of qualifying disabilities for a service dog to get a better idea of what’s covered.
3. Where are service dogs allowed?
Under the ADA, service dogs are allowed in any areas open to the public. This includes places like restaurants, grocery stores, retail stores, hotels, office buildings, school campuses, and parks.
There are exceptions, of course. A service dog can be asked to leave if they pose a direct threat (like showing aggression), behave disruptively (excessive barking or inappropriate elimination), or when the space itself creates safety concerns for everyone involved (like sterile operating rooms or active construction zones).
4. Can I board flights with my service dog under the ADA?
You can board flights with your service dog free of charge, but that right isn’t actually given under the ADA. Service dog handlers have air travel rights under the Air Carrier Access Act. While ADA rules don’t require you to have documentation for a service dog, the Department of Transportation does. Before flying with a service dog, you will need to complete the DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form and give it to your airline. Check out our guide on how to fly with a service dog for more detailed information on how you can board flights with your service dog.
5. What questions am I allowed to ask a service dog owner?
Under the ADA, the staff or employees at a public establishment such as a restaurant, bar, store, hotel, office building, or school can only ask two limited questions if it’s not obvious how the service dog helps:
- Is the dog a service animal that is required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
The staff member cannot require a doctor’s note, inquire about the specifics of your disability, ask for an identification card or training certificate, or demand other medical documents.
In addition, staff members aren’t allowed to ask you to have your service dog demonstrate its skills. The two questions above are also only allowed if the disability is not apparent. For example, if the service dog is being used as a guide dog for a blind person, it wouldn’t be appropriate to interrogate them about their service dog since it’s usually apparent why they require the service animal.
6. Do I need a professional trainer to train my service dog? Can I train my service dog myself?
ADA service dog rules do not require that service dog handlers use a professional trainer. To make your dog a service dog, you do not need to complete any specific training program. Service dog handlers are allowed to train their dog themselves without the help of a professional trainer or training program.
Service dog owners should note that under ADA rules, service dogs in training are not yet considered to be service animals. That means that before you can enjoy all of the rights afforded to service dog owners under the ADA, your dog must be fully trained to perform tasks that help with your disability. However, some state laws, like in California, and local laws may give rights to dogs that are still in the training stages.
Check out our guide on training service dogs if you’re curious about what goes into self-training a service dog.
7. Which dog breeds can be service dogs?
Under ADA rules, a service dog can be of any breed. A public establishment is not allowed to prohibit entry for a service dog solely based on its breed. The service dog may be asked to leave the premises if it is not under the control of the handler or acts in a way that threatens the health and safety of others. However, staff members at an establishment cannot ask a service dog to leave simply because they are afraid of the dog solely due to preconceived notions about the dog’s breed.
8. Does the ADA give service dog owners housing rights?
You have the right to have your service dog in a no-pets building without paying pet fees, but that right is given to you under the Fair Housing Act, not the ADA. Under the FHA, your landlord has to reasonably accommodate your service dog. That means it can’t apply no-pet restrictions, breed bans, or size limits. You also can’t be forced to pay pet rent or a pet deposit for your service dog.
About the Author: The writing team at Service Dog Certifications is made up of folks who really know their stuff when it comes to disability laws and assistance animals. Many of our writers and editors have service dogs themselves and share insights from their own experiences. All of us have a passion for disability rights and animals.
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The ADA allows service animals access wherever the disabled person has access unless there is a health reason.
Yeah well my hospital said no animals but service dogs are allowed but mine isn’t or anyone else’s because it can’t provide A service if I’m in the hospital ..makes zero sense and is backwards animal free but yes service dogs are allowed but not inside
I just tried to check into a hotel outside Atlanta Georgia and they said they require a state license for a service dog I have never heard of such a thing. How can this be true? I don’t have a license from out of state where I am from I never heard of requirements such as that ever. It was very upsetting after a tiring day driving exhausted to be turned away after making a reservation hours in advance
I have an Emotional Support Animal. She has recently started developing allergies on her paws due to our carpet. I have asked the landlord to please remove the carpet. We asked properly and didn’t get a response. Today I followed up via text and all I got was. “Yes I did. No on is getting wood flooring at this time.”
We live in Downey Ca.
What can you suggest we do in this situation? M
If you read the article it clearly states that emotional support dogs are not the same as device dogs. Don’t sue, read the article.
While I don’t live in California, I do work in real estate.
Two things:
(1) Emotional support animals do NOT receive the same rights as service dogs.
(2) The ADA does not require landlords to make any modifications to a property, but cannot forbid a disabled tenant to make “fair and reasonable” modifications to a unit to accommodate the disability. Not the PET’s disability, YOUR disability. (e.g, if you wanted wood floors b/c you are in a wheelchair that can’t roll on carpet, you would have to pay for them but the landlord couldn’t stop you). Even WITH a disability, you can’t make extreme modifications, such as installing an elevator.
A lot of time allergies in diet manifest in itchy sore paws. Don’t automatically blame the carpet. Liver disease can also cause issues with the skin of the feet. If you haven’t had extensive allergy workup and trials of different treatments you aren’t going to be able to say it’s the carpet. It could be the grass outside, or walking on salted sidewalks in the winter.
That is the problem with living in a building owned by someone else. They are not required to make accommodations for every individual household’s allergies or sensitivities if they don’t feel it is warranted. It stinks, but honestly they’re providing housing for so many people they just can’t do it, reasonably.
And as the article says, emotional support is not a service animal. Everyone’s pet gives them emotional support of some kind. That’s why we have them.
The laws state that if your dog is used for emotional support because you have PTSD, you can sue. The other reply you received for your post is only half right. If this is the case and you have documentation that says you have PTSD, the apartment landlord has to abide by ADA laws. Contact your local ADA for further guidance. Good luck to you.
Look up Fair Housing Act emotional support animals are in this act.
Move, its absurd question to ask of your landlord. There a good chance your dog will ruin the new wood floors. Might I suggest the dog booties to protect its feet??
It an ESA. Not a Service Animal. You and your dog are not afforded rights to have your flooring changed. This would not be considered reasonable either.
ESA and therapy dogs absolutely SHOULD be considered a service animal. My daughter has been a victim of domestic violence and molestation. She has extreme anxiety in certain situations as well as cannot handle changes very well. Our dog helps with all of that. And yes, she’s a toy poodle. A VERY well trained one.
I am tired of being discriminated against because people have these notions about what is or isn’t a service animal based on what tasks it can perform or not because tasks can be as simple as being there while someone goes through an episode. Just like in psychiatric episodes. My partner is a Veteran and also needs her presence with him. She also volunteers at nursing facilities and hospitals because she is so well behaved. But, because there are people out there trying to pass off just a pet as being a service animal, it makes others question my dog and her purposes. In my experience, the discrimination has mostly came from those with ‘legitimate’ service animals as I have had said to me directly from just a week ago with a PTSD working dog. My dog was/is performing the same exact duty, only for different reasons.
I want to know if the customer with a service dog is required to answer the two questions that a business owner is allowed to ask. And if they refuse or say it’s not as any of my business can I ask them to leave.
Your dog is not a service animal, he is a support dog. Therr are no laws they have to follow for your dog.
nothing you can do about it, your emotional support animal is your responsibility, no the landlord or any body,
Its not a service animal, so its abuse from your part to try to take advantage of ADA legitimate animal.
Emotional support doesn’t usually follow the same regulations.
In housing situations under the Fair Housing Act, your request about the carpeting would come under the heading of you asking for an accommodation. It’s likely that your request is NOT a ” reasonable accommodation” and you should look at other remedies to your pup’s condition.
The people claiming that your dog is an emotional support animal and not a service animal are wrong.
Dogs trained to assist individuals suffering from PTSD are considered psychiatric support animals and fall under the legal protection of a support animal not emotional support animal .
for more information Just google psychiatric support animal vs emotional support animal
Your dog does not qualify for a “reasonable accommodation” under disability laws. If YOU had a disability and the carpet was causing problems for you then you could ask for an accommodation for the carpet for yourself. Even if this were true, your landlord may still not make the changes and instead, require you to pay for the work yourself
Ask for a Reasonable Accommodation. If the apartment complex can afford wood floor, by law they have to do it. If they can’t, they might pass the cost on to you but they still have to do it.
Either way, they have to do it or you can file a complaint against the company
Booties and floor coverings for the dog. Check also with Human Rights Or Civil Rights Commission for more help for exact wording. Generally the person making the request is responsible for providing the needed aids such as ramps,.service animal, and any modification needed. The owners and landlords cannot deny access.But they don’t have to provide it. Keep reaching out and you will receive the answers and help you need.
Have your vet prescribe allergy medication or Put mittens on his paws!. You’re being ridiculous and taking advantage of ADA by expecting the LL to is pull the carpet and instal a minimum expense of $5000 for wood or tile flooring. Shame on you. You can always pay for this yourself….. but of course you won’t.
Stop using your pet as an excuse for new floors. It’s not a service dog. Emotional Support Animal is another word for pet.
When people use the system made for real working animals to fit their wants not needs. It makes it tuff for all of us.
Emotional Support Animals are different than Service Dogs. He/She does not have to accommodate an Emotional Support Dog. Emotional Support Aninals are only given the same rights as a service dog is.
Service dogs are working animals – not pets. They must be trained to perform a task that is directly related to the handler’s disability. The ADA does not recognize dogs who solely provide emotional support or comfort as service animals.
Did you miss this part?
Yeah… go spend 10.00 on dog booties or lay down plastic. It’s emotional support not a service dog. Unbelievable
Nothing really beyond finding a new place to live or offer to pay for it yourself. An emotional support animal is not a service dog.
Did u even read what ur commenting on. A service dog can’t not be used for emotional support.
You could get booties for your dog. I would also recommend that you rent a carpet steamer or buy one and clean the carpet with peroxide in the cleaner container. It will not stain or fade the carpet and then follow up with white vinegar rinse. Your dog may be allergic to soap residue from previous carpet cleaning.
If she’s still allergic, you can try is putting down cotton rugs on top of the carpet or ask the landlord if you can pull up the carpet and put down flooring at your expense. Or look for another apartment.
Can a gym owner make you call ahead an tell them your bringing your service dog an tie him up at the gym when my dog is under my control laying by my feet or near by less than 4feet away detects my seizure an PSTD
Sue, it is illegal.
Sue,
The ADA has a requirement that a service dog can not be left along in a hotel/lodging room.
Unless you can prove to your landlord that your dog is a service animal and registered as a service animal in your state then you are out of luck.
You have to be legally disabled to have a service animal.
they fall under the fair housing act, there are a few laws you have to follow. however this is an unreasonable acomadation so the landlord dosent have to do this. even with a service dog.
The ADA states that in the case of service dogs the ADA laws superseed state laws. That hotel was in vialation. Please report them to the ADA. The more people that get prosecuted for breaking the ADA laws the more people who will start obeying these laws.
Report them to the ADA
Legally they can not do that. They can ask you what service your dog provides and ask if your dog is a service dog but they legally cannot ask for paperwork. Check ADA regulations. You could actually sue the hotel if they didn’t allow you to stay there.
If your dog is really a Service Dog, why would you want to leave it in a hotel/ motel room?
I know how to train a service drog!
Under the ADA a hotel can not ask you for paperwork regarding certificates or proof of the dog’s ability to provide a service to you. I find that most places like this are uneducated or ill-informed about the Ada laws concerning service animals and what they can and can’t ask or do I hope you got the room and I hope you inform them of the correct procedure I’ve always told people look up the American with Disability Act about service animals.
This just happened to us. Not sure how to “certify” the dog. He’s a diabetic alert dog.
yes servce dogs are allowed inside a hoapital i have the book from the department of justice
the dog does not have to be certifited i have the laws on serve dogs i have the book from the department of justice
They can NOT deny you your Service Dog and they can NOT ask you for paperwork- if your Dog has Service gear or Tag on collar that should be sufficient enough! Here in Seaside I have had my Service Dog stay with me at no extra cost as she is a Service Dog and not once was I asked for paperwork!!
a service dog does NOT have to even have gear so that is irrelevant.
Because of people who have no disabilities using the service dog title for their untrained, uncontrolled animals, more states are enacting certification and licensing requirements for service animals. I have a trained, certified and licensed service animal, I am all for these requirements. If you are disabled, you have to have a placard or disabled plate, why should service animals be any different?
Not true! My daughter was “Autism” she doesn’t have a disabled plate on my car. But does have a registered service animal now the service animal has her own card with her name dogs picture and my 6 yr olds name as the handler. The dog isnt allowed to go to school with my daughter since everyone has a story why there scared of a German Shepherd
doing that to persons like me truely disabled would only add costs fees and goverment regulations i could not afford or follow because of my disability. My serice dogs , i need 2 I have MCTD Hymalitic anemia cold variant and degenerative bone disease of the spine, and i live by force in an isolated place with nothing near ,so please dont say that asif we all need to certify the one thing that gets me alive through the next flair
There is no such thing no state license
State law can not over ride federal law. They are completely wrong in Georgia and can be civil
sued.
usiness owners and staff are only allowed to ask two questions regarding service dogs. They may ask if the dog is a service animal that is required due to a disability and what type of work or task the dog has been trained to do. The ADA prohibits them from asking about a person’s disability. They are also not allowed to require any type of identification or certification documents for the dog or medical documentation from the handler. They also may not ask that the dog demonstrate what it has been trained to do.
its illegal and report it so they learn what they already should know. If it’s a Chain of hotels report and sue them its what the law is for
I stopped at a rest area in GA, early Aug 2019. I was heading to the family restroom & denied access to the restroom accompanied by my service dog. It’s visible I’m handicapped, & parked in the appropriate area. I was questioned about the tags & documents regarding qualifications. I told them I didn’t need documentation nor were they allowed to demand any. The only thing they can ask is if the dog is a service animal, subject dropped once you confirm by a yes. Went back to my car & called the Sheriffs office in that county to file a complaint. I was told it was not something they handle & told to speak with the supervisor over that rest area. When I returned back home I called the GA Department of transpertation & given a ph # to call. I Called & left ms., I received a return call within a short period of time. A formal complaint was filed, I was told a letter would be sent to the company along with a fine of $1,500.00 holding them liable 4 misconduct. I told them this kind of pregidous & discriminate behavior was totally unacceptable & I would be speaking with an attorney. They work in & around the public, they need to know the laws, etiquette, respect, & compassion. Many people look down on others who are disabled & require extra assistance. Hope this helps, good luck.
Yes, a lot of states require you to have a dog license and proof of rabies.
No such rule in GA. Service Dogs are NOT licensed, anywhere … nor does the overriding federal reg’s recognize certification. You ran into an uneducated hotel employee. I lived in GA for 20 yrs… stayed in Atlanta many times with my highly trained Hearing Dog. When I travel, I always go in and register first when possible. The front desk folks can tell I am Deaf. Once registered I say, ” Just so you know, I do Hav a Service Dog with me”. Never an issue.
They were not compliant to ADA regulations & DOJ Laws. HIPPA also is violated if said establishment(s) require specific medical reasons for dog or specific tasks. Your personal health is your business & if your health warrants a medical aid such as a service dog… Establishments are only by law allowed to ask 3 simple questions.
if it is a true service dog and not a emotional support dog, feel free to file a lawsuit it was a violation of the ada, you will win ive have filed over 20 and have won every single one
The state itself may require such but according to federal law this is not required. Familiarize yourself with this section of the law on the ADA site and politely explain that federal law is above state law. You are allowed with your service dog in all areas where any other customers would be allowed. It is illegal for them to turn you away unless your service dog is acting out or has a health complication such as a bladder infection that is causing leaking. Even in such an event, they are required to allow you reasonable time to fix the issue. For example,in the case of a bladder infection, you would of course want to see a vet as soon as possible, but until that could be done, you would need to buy diapers for your service dog to wear until he/she had been treated and healed. The laws are fairly simple and the rights are very equal to both the service dog owners and the businesses and yet there is much confusion. Some of the confusion is due to service dog fraud. Try to be patient with the businesses but do stand your ground. Ray –
That was completely illegal — a FEDERAL Offense — and as such, recompensable.
Get a good attorney, very clear cut violation. NO STATE LAW can be ineffect IF it
DOES NOT COINCIDE with Federal Law. Federal Law ALWAYS Trumps State Law.
Federal Laws over rule state ones, and if you had the Doctors paperwork (think Prescription), they broke federal Rules in not allowing your Service Dog to stay. More, than cannot expect other states to have (what federal laws don’t require) Service Dogs to have State Licenses.
In short, they broke federal laws.
Please contact the department of human services for the city where you tried to make your reservation. If not Google department of justice, Americans With Disabilities Act, and then the city and state where are you had a problem. That should refer you to the person who will happily and for free educate these jerks that required mythical perwork. Just like online service registries are fake, also the state cannot and will not demand any kind of certification. Federal law and the ADA trumps every state law and every pissy little Business owners “I don’t like dogs made into my business policy “garbage. Good luck
Thank call a cop
If credentials/proof of service dog designation cannot be requested then how is the service dog status determined?
There is no document that proofs the legitimacy of a service dog. The details of a person’s disability are protected and private. People may only ask 2 questions when to inquire about a service dog: 1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? 2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? You may find this article on how to verify a service dog interesting: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-verify-a-service-dog/
please go to the ADA website. they offer a form for filing a complaint against the hotel. Please do this for all of us that need our dogs.
the only license the dog needs a county dog license and proof of rabies shots maybe that’s what the meant you should have the tag on the dogs collar there are not state licenses for any service dog go after the hotel they are in violatin of the service dog rules
Show him under the ADA and the Fair Housing Act that no certification is required for a Service Dog. The ADA law overrides any State law.
I have a question I have a service dog she is 4 lbs she is well trained but al of a sudden my apartment manager haven’t Bering mowing I asked them to mow because my little dog is starting to break her training because the grass is hire than her is there something I can do about this.
I was bitten at a small restaurant by a Great Dane who was ID by the owner as a Service Dog. It bit my privates and did serious damage.
That’s against Federal ADA laws. You could sue them for discrimination.
Had 2 different hotels try that with me but told them I’d b calling the police and I pulled out my phone. They both backed down and said the get to many people with dog that are not real service dogs. I told them both the clue for u as s merchant is to watch How the animal behaves and how the handler deals with inappropriate behavior from the dog. Another hotel tried to charge me double for a pet fee. I refused to pay it and again pulled out my phone. Again they backed down. I had this guy look up the ada regs pertaining to service animals. He was shocked to read the law. The next morning I had a talk with the hotel mgr. told her they came within a min of having the police there and my attorney too. I also asked if she knew how much the night clerk was charging for pet fees. She said it was $25, yep you are correct so why did he try to charge me $50? She was flabbergasted and very embarrassed. Said I’ll speak to him when he comes in this evening.
All 3 of these hotels are a major chains top $$$$$ hotels. Not there low end. So they should all have known better.
A clue is, have the ADA web site on speed dial and your atty too.
FYI: I am lucky as my grandson trained Service Dogs. So when my fox said I should get one for my mobility issues I knew exactly where to go and what to do. Also, here most reputable service dog training organizations require the human to go to classes to learn the ADA laws, dog CPR, dog 1st aid etc. and other useful things. Tax breaks etc.
Good luck and don’t let them get to you stand your ground. We’ve all been there.
You can sue. That is as clear cut of a violation as there is. There is NO licensing requirement. And requiring a “license” is a violation of the ADA. They can ask two questions: 1. Is the dog a service animal assisting a person with a disability? And 2. What task(s) does it perform? End of discussion. Anything beyond that is illegal and subjects them to liability.
I recently had three male construction workers in my Airbnb home that was booked by a female not even staying there so her reviews didn’t mean anything. I was not told about two Rottweilers coming too, they left the Rottweilers everyday in the home while they went to work. If they don’t have to tell me about them or prove they are service dogs then I’m not able to stay in my home after they leave because of my allergies, doesn’t seem right. They should have to prove they are service dogs and on top of that I can’t charge for them being there, so the dog hair in my pool, poop all in my yard and dog hair everywhere and my new comforters smell like dog even after washing them. I do feel sorry for people with disabilities but what about people that are not get away with this.
This isn’t right. You can charge people, even if they have an assistance animal, if they leave a mess or destroy property.
If they are service dogs they should be going to work with the owners not staying at the house. If they are emotional support animals they typically stay at home but i believe the owner can be charged if damage was done to the property.
If you are choosing to list your home on Airbnb, then you are legally expected to comply with ADA Title III regulations. Airbnb’s policies are quite clear about the rules for assistance animals. https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1869/what-is-an-assistance-animal
Under the ADA there is an important caveat when it comes to health and safety concerns. If you are allergic, then Airbnb clearly states you don’t have to comply. I’m not sure if you have to post it on your listing, but you can check with Airbnb about the rules. I have a service dog and I would not be able to travel without him. So let me play devils advocate for a moment, if I were looking at your listing how would I know that your allergies are real? Someone could potentially say they had allergies just to get out of providing accommodations for me. And you know what, there may be some bad seeds who do play the “allergy” card. However, that won’t stop me from believing that your allergies are real. Because if they are, then who the heck am I to judge your medical needs?
Now with all this being said, what the construction workers did was inexcusable! The ADA states that handlers must have control over their animals, so if someone doesn’t pick up after their animal then they need to be charged for that. Also fun fact, a service dog can not be left in a hotel room. Anyone who is actually disabled needs their dog at a moments notice, which is why they are always with them. Sounds like you have legitimate concerns and need to do a little more research. All I ask is that you don’t judge me or others based on the actions of a few bad seeds.
10 years ago I was homeless for almost a year. I have a service dog. We lived part of that time in a public homeless shelter. To live in the shelter I was required to shoe documentation from my doctor that my seevice dog was legit. There was another woman in the shelter who also said her dog was a service dog. I over heard her one day bragging that she had gone online and forged papers to prove her dog was a service dog. Unfortunately the way the ADA laws are it is very hard for you to prove wether or not a dog is a service dog. I would suggest that if you find the service dog left in your home without the owner there to call the police and then get a copy of the police report so that you if need be you can charge the owner for cleaning and damages. You might have to insist on a police report. If the officer refuses call their supervisor. But do nothing to interfer with the dog because if it should accually be a service dog you would be breaking the law.
I was born with a heart defect. A floppy valve that gets stuck and feels like a heart attack. I have to breathe very shallow, not talk/ not move until the valve relaxes. I literally grew up in hospitals in Boston until they realized I have a floppy valve. I’m old now, 66, but I still have episodes. The seniors here told me they don’t want my certified service dog on their bus and there aren’t any other buses in town. I don’t have proof of my condition after so many years, but I’ve had a service dog since I was 15 to stop people from thinking I’m having a heart attack, calling an ambulance and hauling me off to an ER. My dog alerts me just before the valve gets stuck, so I’m prepared to sit or lean on something nearby and begin shallow breathing. She’s extremely well-trained, calm and clean, sits at my feet against the wall when traveling with her head in my lap. I always choose the single seat behind the driver that no one ever uses. Drivers never complain, but yesterday I was told that other riders have complained about me taking my dog with me despite her vest and dated certification tag…as if I was breaking a law or joy-riding. I’m so upset. She was with me when I moved into the senior park, when I could still drive safely. I don’t want to drive anymore. I’m a retired dog trainer, btw…I worked with Guiding Eyes and am a retired member of a police dog club…I know, from experience, which dogs have the ability to guide & accompany persons with disabilities, but people who don’t need a service dog don’t want dogs around, it seems. Sad. BTW, pouring Listerine Mouthwash on a dog after bathing it and rubbing it into the fur and skin makes much more allergy friendly.
For the most part I agree, except for one thing. Someone might not need a service animal with them for certain tasks. For example a legally blind person (Stargardt’s disease is a good example of a condition that leaves a person with some vision — typically around 20/400) might not need his/her service animal with him/her when s/he goes to the hotel pool or gym. But s/he might always take the dog when s/he leaves the hotel. Service animals also get tired, ill, injured, or overworked. They need time off too. And there are places where even service dogs are not allowed or where bringing one wouldn’t be practical. A private residence certainly can exclude a service animal. So if one is attending a private function, one might well leave the dog behind, especially if the person is going with a guest (like going to a wedding at a private home with a date or a spouse). Or maybe the person is going sailing, cycling, kayaking, golfing, ice skating or whatever. People with disabilities who use service animals (including legally blind people and people with all kinds of other disabilities from hearing impairments to PTSD) do ALL of the things I list. They often leave the dog behind (one certainly wouldn’t help you on the ice, for example). So the mere fact that a (preferably) crate trained service animal was left in a room does not mean it isn’t a service animal. Now, if the dog is constantly being left in the room and is never seen performing any task, that may be grounds to get suspicious. A couple of construction workers going to work each day without their dogs certainly qualifies as highly unusual. Those probably aren’t service animals. So on that part we definitely agree.
It is the handlers responsibility to clean up after their service dog. The fact that service dogs are protected under the ADA act does not mean that you don’t have rights as well
where can I find out my rights as a proprietor where we do not allow pets. If a dog is not identified can I ask them to have the vest on? We have a venue where events with large crowds and kids are held. Service dogs are welcome, I have no issue there, I just want a vest or collar on them to protect the person with needs and our other patrons. I get that some people are harassed with dogs, don’t agree with that at all. But I need to care for all the people who enter our gates and would just like the service animals identified.
Business owners and staff are only allowed to ask two questions regarding service dogs. They may ask if the dog is a service animal that is required due to a disability and what type of work or task the dog has been trained to do. The ADA prohibits them from asking about a person’s disability. They are also not allowed to require any type of identification or certification documents for the dog or medical documentation from the handler. They also may not ask that the dog demonstrate what it has been trained to do.
a service dog has no access rights to the pool. also they legally HAVE to clean up after their dog.
If they were left behind, they aren’t service dogs.
If you are allergic to dogs and you don’t want them in your home then if you can’t comply with the Ada service dog rules then don’t rent. If you can’t comply rest the Constitution’s ride of individuals with Americans with Disabilities for service dogs then you should not make money on renting your property. Go ahead and enjoy it and have fun with it but don’t make money on it unless you’re able to rent to everybody the answer and don’t have disabilities.
By law your are entitled to know in advance of customer who need aid & attendance of A (generally singular) Service Animal. They by law have to only answer 3 simple & Not Invasive Questions. Service animals are Not Breed Specific. Wether it’s an Airbnb or motel motel a room or place for rent without an actual lease; it matters not. It’s simply the a meeting in the middle for both parties. May you have better guest who do not break the law.
If it is a service dog, it would be going with them. If it causes a health risk, you don’t have to allow it. You can in some states charge the person with trespass due to the dog and the person will have to prove a disability. If you don’t think it’s a disability under the ADA, you have a right to ask further questions. You can’t ask what the disability is.
Service Dogs by definition go with the person.
Fraud. Also — critical — Service Dogs HAVE TO BE TRAINED.
Guardians MUST CLEAN after them — you have been defrauded.
Get a good attorney — Total Setup just with the female booking.
If they were left in your home each day, while the people were at work, they clearly are NOT Service Animals.
You have every right to get anything replaced no matter if the dog was a service animal a therapy animal or a police canine. If damage was done it is your right to get it replaced. Did you get any sort of vaccination records on those dogs? Did you ask the correct two questions? I’m assuming you’re in the United States?
Please let us know. Also, personally I am not aware of anyone who has a service dog let alone a pair of them that they could leave alone all day. My service dog never leaves my side unless I’m taking a shower and then he’s about 4 feet away. (But only because he hates water). I really hope this helps you, please let us know!
My therapist will not let me bring in my service Animal into his office. He said that he is allergic to the saliva. My service Animal does not lick anyone. Can he reject my service Animal ?
For a service animal to be legally denied access under the ADA, one of the following three conditions must be met:
1) There must be a direct threat to the health and safety of others. Fears, allergies and possible lawsuits do not suffice.
2) The entity must show that providing a reasonable accommodation poses an undue financial burden or hardship.
3) Providing a reasonable accommodation would fundamentally alter the operation of the entity.
Your therapist’s office is not a place where “the general public ” is allowed. It is a private office … where appointments are made. So unfortunately, yes, your dog can be excluded. Personally, I do not take my dog to medical appt’s unless it is unavoidable. I choose to not be distracted, or have my provider distracted by my dog’s mere presence.
Find another therapist… If he’s that allergic he by reasonable conclusion… Stay the !?$@ home & do telehealth🤬
Maybe. If the therapist is the one that provided you need accommodation of a service dog based on your disability, I’d think you have a better case. If another doctor prescribed it, you may still have a case. If you registered your dog on one of the online places and obtained service equipment for the dog and the therapist knows you don’t have a disability requiring a service dog under the ADA, he has every right to tell you no. ,
NO, he cannot refuse — his problem.
Tell him to get medication for it.
Once you leave your home you have to deal with the public.
Read ADA Law — allergies not acceptable EVER.
I dont think so if resterants cant denie for alergeys then niether can he but i am also still new to this so im not sure
He can not refuse to let your dog come in. But, why would you want to see him anyway? I don’t believe it would be beneficial whether he really had allergies or not. I had a similar situation with a new therapist. She was totally afraid of all dogs. Any breed any size. The building where I would go had several therapist on staff. She and I agreed I would be better suited with a different therapist. Within a week I had another therapist to see. Problem solved.
I work as a nurse in a hospital and a supposed service dog that was unleashed laying in its bed with food and water ain an icu room of a patient ready to spend the night. The service dog was not for the patient but was a comfort dog for the patients daughter. The dog had been agressive to staff for several days. But all that was said was ohh he wont bite says the owner. The patient begain having issues i had to run in and preform manovers to save the patients life. While being attacked by the dog he bit my scrubs charged me several times and finally bit my leg. The owner did nothing other staff did nothing. I saved the patient under conditions i should not have had to fight through. I was in a now win situation if i go back to ICU the patient is still there the dog removed but now i have a combative faimly to deal with a charge nurse whos mad because i reported the issue to my superviser not her (in my opinion she was aware since she saw for days what had been going on) and only the hospital and my supervisors had my back. You have to find a way to protect the public against attack from these supposed needed animals. You need to he able to prove your service animal is safe for the public. And keep the under control. Really the patient was lucky i fought through the pain because he would not be here if i had run out during the attack.
If in a hospital the dog is allowed anywhere the handler is, except for burn units and procedure rooms for, they are allowed in the waiting rm and the patients room if they say otherwise they are wrong.
File a lawsuit. That is illegal under the Federal ADA law. You will win.
The VA is being misled about Service Dogs and their training. An owner of the dog Can train it !! It does NOT require a dog to be trained by organizations such as Canines With a Cause. It does not need to be “CERTIFIED” by Anyone!!!!
Service Animal are able to go in and stay with patients at hospital. Mine does all the time.
They can only refuse your dog if you are in a specialized unit (like ICU) or if you or anyone to assist you is not able to manage your K9.
What kind of moron brings a dog to the hospital if it is not a REAL service dog that is individually trained to provide a specific service? Emotional support is a stunningly fake trope.
I see where business owners may ask what type of work or task they are trained to do,but they are not allowed to ask about a persons disability.Is that not telling people what disability you have .
I would like to see legislation that REQUIRES service animal handlers to provide documentation regarding the animal’s certification as a service dog. I live in a city where people bringing their dogs into grocery stores has gotten completely out of hand, and these dogs are clearly not trained to do anything other than be present! They ride in the grocery carts, they wander in the produce and meat sections unleashed, and store managers won’t do anything…they claim they CAN’T do anything. This is especially bad during hot weather, as people don’t want to leave their dogs in a car. This self-centered “rules don’t apply to me” behavior gives responsible dog owners (whether they have service animals or just companion animals) who play by the rules a bad name. I’m totally sick of it…why would it be so onerous to require documentation for service animals?
The bookstore on my college campus is saying I can’t bring my dog into the store and on top of it they laid their hands on my dog without my permission!
they are allowed in the hospital but are not allowed when you are admitted as they can interfere with staff taking care of you. Being a nurse and now needing a service dog I realize that more often than not the person has separation anxiety when separated from the dog and sometimes the dog also is upset that they cannot work yet normally one is not hospitalized for long. Please be patient with staff and hospital rules because dogs (even when vaccinated) can cause problems for other visitors, patients and staff. Hopefully you will not be there long. Some who are in hospital for mental disorders are allowed to keep their service animal with them. Just depends on the animal and what is being done.
I’m sure everyone would love to bring something from home to the hospital.
Kittens, snakes, tree squirrels..etc.
But you are truly missing the point of a service dogs duty for a “disability”. It’s not a choice, it’s a human right to have help to overcome hardship of disability or to alleviate. You might want to research the hospital policy on pet visits and service dogs and listen to the advice of the doctors.
I had.to go into the hospital in Portland and the were more then accommodating for me. Of course Gypsy was a pom and was not any problem. She was with me for 12 years, I miss her everyday
Too many people bringing their dogs into food service stores saying they have a service dog and they don’t have to prove it and can only be asked if they have a service dog, but it’s obvious the dog is ill trained and doubtful the dog is trained to help with any disabilities. And then those who admit it’s for only emotional support which the law states isn’t a service.
I fully support service dogs, just not the humans who suddenly all believe their PETS can now be taken into any business they feel.
Is there a law against people harming poisoning or trying
to kill a service dog.
That is very weird. A service dog is allowed in any public area, so you’re is legally allowed to be inside the hospital with you. Where ever you go your dog is supposed to be allowed to go with you.
Service dogs are absolutely authorized to enter any public part of the hospital, or any area the the service dog handler is allowed to enter, unless in a sterile environment or there have been quarantine procedures put in place. In some states, NC being one of them, service dogs in training are afforded the same protection under the law as fully trained service dogs. Read all of the ADA regulations and individual state laws regulating service animals. Emotional support animals have absolutely no protection under the law and establishments are NOT obligated to allow access. Nor is anyone allowed to ask for documentation for you or the animal, even in states that require it, because the federal regulation states that the regulation that affords more rights is the governing regulation.
Thats not true. They ARE allowed in hospitals and hospital rooms if youre a patient. The one place that my service dog was not allowed was in the OR while I had surgery … for obvious reasons. He stayed in my room under a nurse’s watch.
I am permanently disabled and have a Service dog.. Today I was asked for a Dr. note and paperwork, while I was shopping at the Dollar Tree today. I had no problems at Children’s Hospital, they were awesome all the staff was great, even got to take him in the recovery room after my child’s surgery, never once asked me for documentation. Ooo
Service animals can still preform tasks while in hospital mine has and for the hospital to deny you is illegal and they can and will be fined for it
I have a guide dog. She accompanied me when I go to the hospital all the time with no problem. I am just as blind inside the hospital as out of it. A person can’t check their disability at the door.
Actually, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA Law) Service animals are allowed anywhere their handler, or the general public is allowed, even in places like restraunts, which some may call a health issue.
My service dog is a smaller dog and he is trained to alert me in specific medical situations. He travels everywhere with me and sits on my lap at work, on airplanes, in restaurants and most places. I recently was told at a restaurant that he had to stay on the floor. Because he is smaller it’s much harder to detect certain medical situations if he is not near my heart. He sits quietly on my lap under the table and has never caused an issue in the 4 and a half years I’ve had him. I explained to the manager my situation and even offered my paper work and prescription from my doctor explaining my need for my service dog but they would not let us in the restaurant if he didn’t remain on the floor. Their policy said they can’t have dogs on tables, chairs or furnishings. He would be on my lap, not on a chair or furniture and absolutely never on a table. The law doesn’t specify anything about this yet they would not seat us. What can I do at this point?
In the case of medical alert dogs where proximity is necessary, the dog MAY sit on your lap. Basically the only exception, otherwise they must remain on the floor.
File a lawsuit. The Federal ADA does specify the fact that it is a working service dog and the specific services you need that SD to do. You will win. Get a lawyer and sue them. In my state you have three years to file a lawsuit.
Submit a complaint to the ADA.gov
The restaurant will regret their decision
The Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA, protects you from this sort of foolishness. Get some ADA cards to hand out to skeptical or fussy people. You don’t have to explain your condition or reason for having a service dog anywhere at any time as long as the dog is trained, as yours is, and wearing a vest, to take your dog anywhere and keep your dog on your lap. Get the cards. They work.
There is no such law & such a manner does not violate any health code violations especially since anyone who ever been a parent know our sweet little ones has potential walking germ o’ factories. Be honest or wake up parents or both! I digress as ignorance is ignorance. People can’t read & understand their extraordinary made up rules them then I don’t know if I’d trust them check food temps, wash hands after every glass, fork, knife, spoon, plate & bowl was removed from table. Watch’m & see what I’m saying. When people are so ignorant simply ask for your food to be boxed up, politely ask for the check, pay & never ever ever go back.
Huge Violation. Get a good attorney.
Private Policy vs law.
I suggest you get it in writing from as many doctors and trainer you can that the dog will perform better or has been trained to sit on your lap to perform the duty or as close to you as physically possible. Always keep your video phone recording when confronted by the unintelligent that make rules that are not state or federal.
Be polite and understanding because they still have the right to not accommodate to you and the service animal at that given moment but when service has been refused and you are well equipped with video of refusal and your “t”s are crossed and your “I”s are dotted a judge may see it in your favor.
A dog(regardless of it’s size can hear a human heart beat from 50 feet away. A Service Dog is trained to lay down under your chair or under the table by the Handler’s feet. The restaurant owner is correct.
Rumor has it that there is a move to put service animals with 4 on the floor. because so many people take their purse dogs with them and claim they are SDs. i dont know where it is in the process of becoming policy, or is its just rumor. good luck to ya.
I work for the school,I am a custodians.i do work at nite where there no kids around.my service dog is train,I am hearing impaired.He is registered with the state of michigan.the school who I work for told me no.i don’t hear too good on the phone,is better to text me.thank yo
Not allowing an employee (that the school is taking advantage of state and federal tax benefits by the hiring of a disabled person) a “reasonable” accommodation is unlawful. They need to be sued to teach them a lesson because you can bet on it that they are discriminating against the students if they’re worried about a custodian and a service animal. Your animal is also a critical need for YOUR safety as you can’t hear certain things to warn you the way others can hear. It hurts to “hear” a government or quasi-government entity violating the most basic of our ADA (i.e., the LAW). This is as basic as the need to wear a seat belt while in a moving car.
Unless you can prove to your landlord that your dog is a service animal and registered as a service animal in your state then you are out of luck.
You have to be legally disabled to have a service animal.
Actually, they can refuse a service dog in training. One of the reasons my trainer doesn’t use “in training” patches. Stupid loop hole in the law. How can you train a dog without taking them into environments like stores, hotels and airplanes? But the establishments, including employers, can refuse a dog that hasn’t completed training.
They are in the wrong and the ADA will take action.
File a complaint with ADA.gov
The ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, protects you so you can have your service dog with you anywhere. You can buy cards to hand out if anyone questions you about your dog’s presence anywhere, anytime. Also, get your dog a service dog vest, it stops people from bothering you about your dog’s presence and the service your dog provides.
is it the owners responsibilty to make sure the animal is clean and does not have an overwhelming nasty smell.?Especially in a food envuroment. If rhe animal smells terribly can the restaurant ask them to leave? When other patrons have complained about the smell.
Yes and no if the dog smells that’s one thing but fleas are other I would rather you clean the dog before taking him/her anywhere legally they can’t ask you to leave because of that and you take the case the court your libel to loose the case
Smell is relative and people can make it up to have an excuse.
Can’t prove smell — since it can be fabricated so easily.
Violation.
I have a service dog for my autism, and I went to a restaurant and they told me I had to leave or show them proof my dog is a service dog
That is illegal. By Federal ADA laws they can not ask for proof. File a lawsuit and sue them.
Wow, no wonder these rules are abused so much! They’re so loose even a toddler could take every advantage possible.
Why is it that you have to have medical proof for having a disability, but not if your dog is an actual service dog? How hard would it actually be to require a test and registration for service animals, especially since they have such a huge responsibility? It doesn’t even have to be anything particularly hard, just make sure they know all the basics that a regular pet would learn and that they’re calm in social situations.
A card that only fully trained service dog owners can get would really help so that there’s less abuse of the rules and those who have actual disabilities face less stigma/uncomfortable questioning when out in public!
Illegal to require. Just as it’s illegal to impersonate a person with disabilities in need of a service animal attendant. That’s why they ask for illegal proof or bs certificates. The truth to the matter it’s nobody’s business but, those you choose to tell of your health conditions. Just as it’s no one’s business to know a service animal is required to stave off or help manage a seizure disorder for their handler because he or she’s experienced some of the most horrific crime man can do to another. It’s simply not their business….
I kept the accommodation paper from my Doctor with me at all times. It just said that I was a disabled person and had an accommodation for a service dog, nothing really specific. I was asked if my dog was registered as a service dog not long ago. I said, why I’m the person with the disability not the dog.
If you have a real service dog, I recommend the accommodation on medical letterhead. My original one was on a prescription pad back in the day.
From what I know, federal law doesn’t mandate the dog be registered as service and you can’t be mandated to do so.
Read ADA — can’t require — you have a rock solid lawsuit.
I worked in a food establishment and we had multiple people bringing there dogs in on different occasions, and I personally feel that this law SHOULD make it mandatory for service dogs or handlers to have a card or documentation or tag that confirms the legality of it, because more times than not, people like to bring their dogs along, and says they’re service dogs, when 9/10 is a complete lie. And it’s not fair for businesses to allow their dog inside on their word. I just think that should be incorporated into the service dog law. Because it turns into a circus all of a sudden.
Once again ( this happened first in March) I was refused boarding on Jet blue airlines. My sad has been traveling on JB for over 3 years with no incident. However, once again I tried to board a flight with my service dog ( I should add that I paid for 2 seats. For 3 1/2 hours I was detained and finally not allowed onboard. In March I was told that I need a doctors note for my physical disability and training papers for the dog. While I know that this is contraindicated by ADA. But, I did what they asked. At the airport I was told that my training records were inadequate and my boarding was refused. The situation caused me to have heart palpitations and EMT was summoned. I can fly on other airlines without a problem. I even flew JB in Feb from Newburgh NY but Ft Lauderdale JB supervisors refused my boarding. I should also mention that the flight crew on American wrote me a letter stating that my dog showed exemplary behavior. The agent at JB falsely stated that my dog showed poor behavior….a BIG lie.
Actually, you do generally need a doctor to say that you have a disability requiring accommodation to qualify under the protection of the ADA. It’s the prescription that gives you a legal right to have the dog, not some registration paper. I get my paperwork updated every few years to continue to qualify just as the law says.
Training papers for the dog are different. You could make a complaint to the EEOC, they generally watch those things I believe. If you do make a complaint, use your prescription, your other boarding passes with the dog and the letter from the airline.
So It says no one can ask for paperwork
What stops me from buying a harness with a patch stating service dog and going around town with it getting all these special services?
Hello, I’m a therapist who work with children and adolescents in the field and home. I was recently prescribed a dog for my disability. This what they sent me:
As you are a field-based therapist, there are a number of important considerations regarding your request that we need to understand, so we can have a productive dialogue:
Your note says that the prescriber will not be liable for any actions of the dog. How are you prepared to deal with potential liability that may result from a bite or other action by your dog? Do you have insurance that would cover this event?
How will you handle interactions with other animals while at clients’ homes?
Have you discussed with the clients how they feel about having a dog at the visits? Do you have concerns that the therapy may be distracted by the presence of the dog?
Do you know the clients’ and their families’ comfort level around dogs in general and dogs in their home specifically? What if a client had been attacked by a dog previously and was afraid of dogs? How would you proposed dealing with that situation?
What if a client’s pet attacks your dog? Or vice versa?
Has your dog received specific training with respect interacting with others?
Many times there are others present in the home besides the client. What if any of them has a fear of/or allergy to dogs?
There may be fleas, etc. at off-site locations. How will you ensure the cleanliness/health of the dog?
Are service dogs in training allowed in a “no pets allowed “ apartment complex
A service dog in training isn’t considered a service dog yet. Therefore, the dog would not have any special access rights. You may ask the apartment managers if they are tolerant of service dogs in training, but by law, they don’t need to accept them.
I was told my service dog must sit on the floor of a restaurant. My dog is a small dog, has been trained to alert me in a few different ways. One that he needs to be near me to detect. If he is on the floor he can’t do his job correctly for one of my conditions. He was on my lap. Not on the table and not on seat. He is 5 years old and has been trained since he was 5 years and has traveled all over with me. This particular restaurant has a waitress who clearly has an issue with dogs, as she is the only reason we were told we had to leave. She was not even our waitress but had to get involved. I must add my dog was sitting quietly on my lap under the table and most people didn’t know he was there. I have tried to reach someone in their corporate office but I never get a response or person to speak to. What can I do in this case. Please help.
If it were me, Get a lawyer. Make sure you have your medical documentation up dated. Go to the restaurant with the lawyer. You may have to do it a few times before the girl is there. Then the attorney can say he/she saw the discrimination. Also, if you can’t eat there based on there rules, You can make them bring you what you want.
As a business owner of an outdoor event that books dozens of working animals, I have issue with untrained service dogs and handlers as they could cause real safety issues to the rest of our patrons. We have had people bring “service” dogs in t shirts that had service written on it in sharpie. “Emotional support” dogs that barked continually at the horses (to the great concern of the jousters)and other dogs on site. How is a small business owner to protect the rest of the public, and their business against unscrupulous pet owners masquerading their pets as working service dogs?
My service dad passed away Africa ten years I have a wonderful new opportunity she was certafied with her last owner how did I transfer her licensing!
How can a service dog be identified when taken into public places? It sounds like anyone can bring a leashed dog into your business and claim it is a service dog.
I work in a restaurant, What do you do if guests come in and when asked what ask the animal has been trained to perform they answer “General” as a response?
I do understand these laws. But I work at a hotel and guests sometimes say it is when clearly it is not. So how can we keep our no pet policy in effect.
I have a small diner in Virginia we allow services dogs but I have this one lady that brings hers in here and my servers said the other day she had it on the the table between her and the table And so the dog was partly on the table my customers complain about this dog being on the table what can I do about this I asked her to put it on the floor and she got mad and leftAnd said she would never come back and she’s harassing me on Facebook about not coming back to my diner and she just keeps on and on and on
ADA, I don’t know if you actually read these comments or not, but I think you need to seriously rethink your rules that don’t allow businesses to ask for proof that the dog is a real service dog. With the ever increasing number of fakes out there, requiring the handler to carry some sort of license to present if asked for proof seems like a really good idea. It wouldn’t have to get personal and say why the dog is needed. Simply make it something that only a trained service dog can get and that would greatly help to reduce fake service dogs and allow businesses an easier way to differentiate between real and fake and kick out fakes. It would also make it better for the people with disabilities because hopefully they won’t have to worry about that fake service dog in the grocery store attacking their real service dog or things like that. I read too many articles about fake service dogs attacking and that makes it very dangerous for those with real service dogs!
Groomer m i moved to another state and duing the move my purse was stolen anything i had from my doctor that showed proof was gone my doctirs closed due to retirement and the company that took over the records wanted money i do not have just for a copy so sometimes its more of a problem for us
If patrons or staff to a business are allergic to animals, can the business limit or ask that the emotional support animal not be permitted?
Can a landlord require medical documentation from persons who is looking to rent out a unit.
Landlords cannot require any form of documentation for service dog owners. Please see this article for more information on service dog verifications: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-verify-a-service-dog/
These laws need to be revisited since they were put in place 30 years ago. There are too many people lying about their dog being a service dog and we can’t ask for documentation/license since it is against the law. People will go out of their way to purchase service dog vests and leashes that are easily accessible on the internet to avoid being approached by staff or security in public places such as the library. It has created a real problem for airlines as well.
Hey so i was a star bucks, and when they asked if my dog was a service dog, i of course told his he is for my anxiety, he is a small dog so he is up on my lap because of the high chairs, the manager then came up to me and told me I have to leave or put him on the ground, it this ok or should i say something to her?
We were just denied access to The Parker House , a restaurant in Stratford CT. with my daughter‘a service dog. He wanted to see papers. I don’t think they are allowed to do that.
Can a service dog truly perform its task if it’s in a stroller
No id say thats a pet
yes, depending on what its trained for. seizure alerts or diabetic alerts for example
Thank you ADA. You are on the right track with your recent changes. The being said, there are three things I would still like to see happen. The first would be to have a national certification of Service Dogs. The second, ALL Service Dogs must be professionally trained by certified trainers. And third, limit breeds to ONLY stable, non-aggressive temperaments.
I am an elderly blind person. My Guide Dog had two years of specialized training through Guide Dogs for the Blind before she became my Guide Dog. She is absolutely essential for my safety in going about my daily activities and work.
She and I have both been attacked on numerous occasions by fake service dogs. I should not have to give her up and become a shut-in because of people without any disabilities think their misbehaved, uncontrolled dog has”the right” to be in stores, restaurants and on public transportation just the same as a person with a disability.
Over the years I have had my Guide Dog, I have encountered people with their dogs in stores, on the local public transportation, in the hospital and in restaurants. Ill strike up a conversation with some of these folks. They have offered (without being asked) reasons for having their “service animal” (that they trained themself) which have included the following: “He bites people who annoy me.”, “It’s not really a service dog, I just say that so I don’t have to leave him at home. He gets so sad ya’ know.” or “It has ‘rights’ too.”
I write and lobby Service Dog Bills in my state. In a four month period of time I personally was aware of nine Guide Dogs that were attacked that sustained injuries while performing their duties in public areas. My Guide Dog was one of these nine dogs. Four had career ending injuries. There were three Guide Teams struck by cars in a two month period. Two of these Guide Dogs had career ending injuries, one Handler was severally injured and one Guide Team was killed. This is no joke folks! These incredibly highly professionally trained dogs literally are the only fully functioning eyes a blind person have.
My hospital let me and he,/she can be there for emotional support and reasureance in case you wakeup Terrified, can’t think of a time when you’d need the dlog more/!
Churches are exempt
Do service dogs do good with other animals in the home? Or is there a rule about being the only animal, ie cats and dogs
No, there is no limit on how many or what kind of pets you may have (other than possible limitations set by your landlord). Just make sure your service dog can still focus on the tasks and will not be distracted by other animals in times of need. You may find this article on basic training for service dog interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/service-dog-training-guide-the-basics/
Can a service dog be a guard dog? I have my dog alert me of people coming to close to me but does not pose a threat to that person. She just alerts me of people coming to close.
As defined by the ADA a service dog is trained to perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. If your dog is guarding you because of a physical or psychological disability you could be eligible for a service dog. You may find this updated article on the requirements of service dogs interesting – https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/service-dog-requirements/
When a store for an example posted”for health,&safety reasons” you can not put your dog in the seat on a shopping cart. I have printed on brightly colored paper the current ADA rules. I give this to whomever, telling them that your health,& safety concerns should only be for employees that prep the food,¬ for the customer buying it! How often does a toddler poop,or pee in the diaper,as they are in the cart seat? Or the toddler who was in the rain,& got mud on his shoes. Then before being told not to. Is jumping up,& down getting mud all over the seat? Unlike most small children a service dog is highly
trained. Trained to specifically meet the handler’s needs. Such as to smell the chemical imbalance as the onset of a seizure approaches. As in my case I have them occasionally. I also have COPD. Larry gives cues,such as but, not limited to a paw scrape on the arm,sometimes it’s followed with a sharp yap if he smells a sent that may trigger my COPD. He,& I do communicate a lot via site,& sound,of which he is unable to do so while on the ground looking out for other shopping carts pushed by the idiots who don’t pay attention. Nor can he do so from a carrier. Sure I could carry him. I also have neuropathy I do not have the hand strength nor the balance required to carry 10lbs,& shop. So I always put a towel down 1st. to act as a barrier. He will also have peed,& pooped outside before going in the seat. Larry is 10 lbs. of my Pomeranian Chihuahua life line. If somewhere the 1 individual reading this. Has gained some comfort,gained some understanding,& gained some knowledge. Then Larry,& I have done our job. Be safe during this crazy pandemic.
Will someone please help or advise me on the following. I have a service animal. I entered a gas/service store. When the clerk noticed my dog, he did not ask of me the questions required under ADA. My animal was leashed sitting at my feet while I had been waiting in line and had no contact with other customers. The clerk demanded I leave
I tried to explain that I had a right to be there because of my disability. He called the police and I was cited for criminal tresspass because I did not leave when told and because of the dispute I had called my husband to take my animal. Upon seeing me pass the leash the officer turned to me and stated ‘that well I guess you’re guilty of tresspass now” My email is shadylady421@gmail.com
What can I do? If convicted there is also a 6 month jail penalty in addition to a 500 fine.
I have a passenger that stands at the corner all day panhandle for money but at the end of the day he gets on the bus and says his dog is a service dog, he has fleas, and his coat is mange but no one at my company would believe me ..what can I do?
Question.
If someone is claiming they have a service animal ,but is pushing it around in a stroller is this a nominal thing for owners with service animals
That service dog could be trained to detect insulin levels, have alerting behaviors… Are you in a position of knowledge to know all the services an animal could assist a person with? Sounds like you have a bias.
Perhaps you might want to learn more about the extensive uses animals can provide in lieu of deciding its viability based on the handlers care-taking preferences.
I do have a bias when I see “service dogs” snarling at passerbys from a shopping cart, lifting their leg on store products and barking incessantly at other “service dogs”. I know how many hours go in to training an authentic SERVICE DOG, I don’t consider an untrained, spoiled, yapping lap dog a service dog. I consider them annoying and a potential danger to those exposed to them.
I agree. If the person needs a service dog, it should be properly trained. People shouldn’t pass their ill-behaved dog off as a service dog. Ridiculous!😒
Note if the dog is a genuine service dog such situations would be extremely rare as the Dog and human have typically had extensive training. However, in rare circumstances if a dog is behaving aggressively or not under the owners control, it is not a legally service dog for that time period that the behavior is manifested, even if it is trained. Most people with real service dogs have been trained to understand that there may be temporary situations when their dog is not protected by the ADA because in that moment the animal is unable to serve its function. Again that is exceeding rare. Once the animal is under control and able to perform its assistive function their has it’s legal protection again. An example may be, the service dog becomes suddenly ill and has uncontrollable diarrhea, in that instance a restaurant could legally ask the person to take their dog outside, but if the diarrhea stopped then the person would be within their legal right to ask to return.
I some what agree but the comments about size is not ok I had small dog for my ptsd but behaved is a problem in my eyes
Lol sounds like you dont like small dogs…. Not all people “look like” they have disabilities.. I have a “lap dog” who is gentle and quiet.. And it also sounds like you know everything, including knowing how every “lap dog” is a potential danger to those exposed to them. Chill out dad gum!
I agree with you. Recently I was in a restaurant and asked to provide documentation for my service dog. I explained the ADA rules regarding service dogs to the server. Later, she apologized and said a so called service dog was in the restaurant and lunged at a child.
I explained even if the dog was legit, at that point they had the right to remove the dog.
I really feel it wasn’t a service animal. I could never see my service dog acting in that manner.
You seriously need to read up on the ADA.gov website before you end up in a lawsuit.
Service dogs can be trained by their owner. They do not have to go somewhere to be trained
Those are not “Service Dogs” — Common Sense, they have to be well-behaved.
And NO Pitbulls. Not Service Dog Quality.
there is nothing stating pitbulls cant be service dogs
you have no clue what you are talking about, read this document alone, it says NO BREED IS EXCLUDED. Bully breeds have been caring for children since the 1800s so much, that they were called “nanny dogs”
Please dont go out in public and make a fool of yourself like you did on this message board. We handlers have enough problems without people like you spreading misinformati0n.
Thats not a service dog
Too many people are trying to (and with no recourse) pass off pets as service animals. I see it TOO often in grocery & retail stores. It’s a problem for management because they feel their hands are tied because of the rules. I think anyone with a service animal should provide documentation if asked. I am allergic to dogs, and I’ve seen (obviously NOT service) dogs on restaurant chairs eating from human plates, in grocery carts, … I realize that I am in the minority, & would love to have a dog as a pet, but it’s not an option with my severe allergies.
Per ADA requirements documentation is not required, however the handler has a responsibility to have the dog under control at all times. Any business owner has the right to ask what tasks the dog is trained to do, and the handler must have a disability that the dog is specifically trained to assist with. Emotional support dogs do not have the same rights. A legitimately trained service dog should never be on restaurant chairs, or being fed in a restaurant and are not allowed in grocery carts. They must be on a leash (unless it impairs the work, but must be under control) or can be carried by their handler.
And should you also provide birth certificate, 1st grade report card and a copy of your credit report if pulled over by a police office who asks for them? Of course not! So why should someone be expected to provide to someone an item that the law does not require? That only muddies the waters and makes it so business owners think that those items are necessary.
Given the issue with fake dogs, Towns are starting to require real service dogs to be licensed by the jurisdiction. I like the idea, it protects the disabled person and the business.
Also, people don’t act based on fear and not knowing the law. If I found a fake service dog, I’d try to make a case for impersonating a person with a disability under NY Law.
First of all, eating off plates and grocery carts are within ANYONE’S Purview.
Kids, walking germ factories, are allowed to sit on a cart and spread more
diseases than even the filthiest canine could ever spread ( for your scientific
erudition, canines’ mouths are the cleanest on the planet and humans’ the
filthiest — simple science — I know, you think you’re so superior, you are not.
Hi can someone please help me, if someone attends a public open tourist attraction claiming their dog is a service dog, but without stating the type of dog, papers, not letting the owner even see the dog walk around what do I do?
Do service dogs even have to show anything? What if they don’t have a vest on to show they are a service dog? My youngest brother has autism and I understand completely that one day he may need assistance with a dog in the future for his needs, so I understand the position for needing one.
However, for the future if we are taking him to a public open attraction, do I need proof as in a vest to show? Do I need paper work? What are my rights? What are the business owners rights in terms of the dog having no clear indication proving he/she is a service dog? Can anyone please help, I’m in need of some guidance or advice as I’m not sure what to do
Read up on the law. The ADA does not require that you provide any type of documentation nor does it require that the animal wear a vest of any sort.
The article LITERALLY says you don’t need to show paperwork. Only need to provide two things:
To claim that the dog is s service dog.
The function the service dog is meant to perform. (They can NOT legally ask you to have the dog demonstrate this.)
It does HELP if you have a tag or service dog harness (you can buy these online.)
And if the dog is untrained or viscous or destroying property, they have the legal right to have you leave the premises. As long as your dog is calm, untrained, and not barking like crazy, you’ll be fine. If they do threaten to not allow you somewhere, let them know the ADA laws and that you will sue and win.
Hint: Print out this rule page and highlight the two requirements and the part about them not being able to ask you for papers or demonstration.
👍
Perfect answer.
Google is a wonderful thing ! Read the ADA.gov regulation. It answers all your questions. No papers… no ID.. No vest. These things may, in some circumstances be helpful but are never “required”.
four on the floor or in the handlers hands, otherwise likely not actually a service dog, but is simply being passed off as one, which is illegal
There are other recourses for different breeds of dogs that do have a breed distention a mussel can be safely used on a service dog breed that is a barky or a nip
Y type breed. A rat terrier can be trained using positive reinforcement training as most can and I train pit bull terriers to be pussycats.
Yeh okay
Not necessarily true…those are just the rules albeit with exception stated by the ADA. Some people, as I do, need their dog near their face for them to do their job. People who are susceptible to seizures, diabetic issues etc. The under control absolutely, the four on the four has exception. Most people who have service dogs are sensitive to othesr, for example I always use towlets when in the store before looking at unwrapped produce etc. She is in a carrier open top so she can still do her job, in the cart seat so she isn’t in contact at any time with the cart. As stated in the case Butler vs. Winco the expert stated (pg. 3, paragraph 3) . .. People put children with leaky diapers, colds and contagious diseases in shopping carts as well as hats coats and handbags…..and the health risks from service dogs occasionally riding in carts (although without a barrier I would object too)I suspect be substantially lower than might come from the mass of other items regularly pushed in carts.
Finally, common sense and decency.
No ! It’s 4 on the floor. Meaning all four Paws 🐾
You’re wrong. I push my dog in a stroller. He is a ptsd dog. I put a lot of time and money and heart into training him and he is good at what he does. Unfortunately he slipped a disc in his back and has trouble walking. His stroller doesn’t affect our health relationship what so ever. Stop being so closed minded.
Yes, sometimes service dogs have bad hips, or are older, but they detect seizures or other medical issues that are not visible.
Service Animals are expected to work day & night as most people (handlers) have particular health reasons that don’t clock out a certain time every day. Smaller animals are often better for certain medical conditions & getting a bit of down time or when their not at top speed is understandable. Do You Work 24/7? Now, always in a stroller… Mmmm…. That is curious to say the least. Just a simple observation.
Depends on the owner’s medical condition. What the dogs cues for this condition are. So whose to say if having the dog in the stroller is right or wrong? Is this individual hurting himself or others while the dog in the stroller? Nope?Then being different should not be a crime. As we all live in the Information age then being ignorant of the ADA rules regarding service animals should be..
Do service dogs need to have a patch or label somewhere starting they are service dogs?
No. But most of us put vests on that say DO NOT TOUCH, WORKING SERVICE ANIMAL. It cuts down on people messing with s legitimate team. Besides when the vest is on its work time…when its off yea my guys still work for me at home…but its i csn be a dog time too. I’ve put hundreds if not over 1000 hours into my 2 service animals. Not to mention the cost of taking care of them. Mainly, we just want to be left alone. Let me shop, get my groceries and GTFO of where im at. Most dont like to spend an extended amount of time anywhere because of how others perceive them and their SD.
All 3 of my service dogs, 1 at a time except while I was training my current dog, have worn patches stating that they were service dogs along with patches saying Please Do Not Pet Me. That still does not stop people from petting them. I was on a bus one day and a man got on and started petting my service dog. I pointed out to him that his patch said Do Not Pet but he kept petting him. I asked him to stop petting my service dog. He said okay but continued to pet him. I told him he was breaking the law but he continued to pet my service dog. I asked him if he would walk up to someone’s baby and start touching it. He thought for about 5 seconds and said ‘yes’. The bus driver made him get off the bus for disturbing me and Cuddles, my Seizure Alert Service Dog, now deceased for 3 years. We have people on both sides of the issue what we need is more true education for the public. State, county and city laws that counterdict the ADA laws should be removed or reworded so that they no longer break the ADA laws.
I’ve found patches and labels actually bring more negative attention than just traveling with my service dog without identification. I use ADA rules to determine hard line rules of what I HAVE to do: Have a prescription. Have an animal trained in 3 tasks I cannot do myself. No registration/certification/”special training regime” is required. However, a manager of a facility may ask what the tasks the animal is trained to perform. They MAY NOT ask my medical condition.
If a business offers offsite camping cabins are they required to allow their volunteers to bring a service animal? Many attendees may have allergiesetc that would also be using the cabins and this is causing a problem. I would appreciate your assistance.
If you are legally allowed to be there, then so is your service animal. Allergies of other people is not a reason to not allow you access.
Exactly. Their problem, not yours.
I’m allergic to some people, they aren’t going anywhere.
I have three small service dog. One is elderly and I don’t have the heart to put him down. I don’t take them places other than in my truck. They calm me from my aniexty and alert me to the door. I have many health issues and find it extremely hard to not have them for one day. I’ve trained them for certain jobs as in the past I’ve trained security dogs. One has a natural talent of letting me know when my blood sugar is off. No service dog should be urinating or attempting anger issues in public. What I’ve found that some animals just detect bad people and go into high alert. A good service dog is a well trained service dog.
They need to amend this law to make that mandatory. I think it’s bulllshit when ppl like to bring their dog around everywhere and claim it’s a service dog, when they know it’s not. Like I’m sure, they didn’t have laws like this before unless someone was blind, but all of a sudden EVERYONE acts like they can’t leave their damn pets at home.
No
No, Not, NEVER!!!! Handler might buy one though online because they’re tired hassle from ignorant of the law or because they’re being sketchy about actually having a medical reason & again ignorance comes into play.
how much training is needed to be certified?
The ADA does not outline the amount of training a service dog requires. However, the animal should be trained to provide a task for your disability.
No “official “ training required. Training is required; in other words if someone has a condition a response by animal should be performed to a manner of that person’s condition. There are not nationally or state official certifications Blessed by fed or state….
if you get a traiuner to do your dog itakes about 2000 hrs to train a dog for service work i started with mine whwn he was 6 months old allso ada stated the the dog has to be 18monts to 2yrs old to be a service dog noy a 6 month old puppy also the animals has to be fixed
The absence of requiring that the dog has identification is a huge problem as wayyyy too many people are claiming their pets as assistance dogs. A simple photo ID of dog alike a personal identification card does not invade anyone’s ability to have an assistance dog. I’ve seen kids nipped at in places like Walmart from people claiming they are working animals. No trained dog would bite a child.
Forging identification to claim a pet is a service dog is easy. I have reported people I know who have done this but there is no easy answer. This creates a big problem for owners of real service dogs. We have problems with people not wanting to believe us but how would the ADA go about proving that the identification was false. There a lot of companies out there that charge outrageous fees to certify service dogs but they are not certified by the ADA to do this.
People should teach their children to keep a distance from any dog they do not know. People are constantly distracting my service dog while he is working because they want to pet the nice doggy…they should know better. This is how a person gets bitten by a “fake” service animal. Also, the laws need to make the penalty greater for passing off a pet as a service animal. You don’t ask a person in a wheel chair to “prove” his/her disability even though an electric wheel chair can seriously injure a bystander (I know because I use one & have run over more than one foot). Most people are smart enough to keep a reasonable distance from my wheel chair…why can’t they figure out the same with my service dog. Don’t punish the honest handlers of service animals for the ignorance or audacity of others. That being said, “fakers” tick me off too!
There are some states that have laws about harassing a service animal. I don’t like people petting mine. He doesn’t provide a service for them, he provides a service to me.
Kids should be more patrolled at ALL TIMES BY PARENTS OR CARE GIVERS. Service animals are not pets so if a handler says no… No is no. Take the kid to the zoo for crying out loud. Service animals are there for their handlers & not to entertain someone’s child…. Of course the parent that disagrees can trade places with the disabled patron & enjoy. No? I didn’t think so….
Of course not, but why are they approaching and petting them in the first place.
Stay away from them, end of that problem.
I agree with this completely. A “service dog” lunged at me in a grocery store and a “service dog” held by a.person next to me on an airplane was all over me. Too many people are abusing this (my neighbor, who just wants to take his pet everywhere, included). I.D. cards should be made mandarory.
And then what happens when traveling if your wallet is stolen as mine was while moving across 7 states in the dead of winter
I think businesses should be allowed, to have a release of liability form signed by the people coming in with their “service animals”. I’m for the service animals don’t get me wrong. But I also don’t think someone should be allowed to take advantage of a sensitive situation at someone else’s expense.
So should people in a wheelchair have to sign a liability release? How about people on oxygen? Crutches? Service Dogs are medical equipment and is is inappropriate to treat someone with a disability different than you treat the general population.
Amen to that!
Darby I understand somewhat your argument however,a wheelchair or oxygen are static and benign . A dog can cause some damage as can the monkey, horse or parrot who can move on its own. I have a service dog, my problem is with humans, however I would have no problem with a picture id and service jacket as part of the package. It would and does save me from harassment by self serving people.
If the animal is indeed a trained service animal the chances are slim of anything negative happening.
If a person is falsely presenting an untrained un certified animal and something happens, the person will be liable and can also face fine and imprisonment for falsely presenting the animal.
The fact that the business cannot force proof will relieve it of liability as long as it follows the rules of the ADA
Exactly. Everybody wins.
A real service dog NEVER poses a Threat.
A real service dog ALWAYS is housebroken.
A real service dog NEVER growls at ANYONE.
A real service dog NEVER barks in a facility.
A real service dog is OUTGOING AND FRIENDLY.
A real service dog may lick you to death, that’s about it.
I agree I cannot tell but looking at a glance whether or not the service animal it’s actually a service animal I thought we were allowed to at least ask is it a service animal and if so just let it go or you know it would have been nice if they’d had a vest on or something but it puts us some of us people in predicaments especially security officers
It is my understanding that if you ask “is that a service animal?” their answer of yes takes the responsibility off of the business and puts it on the handler. correct me if i’m wrong.
Are release of liabilities required for children entering premises?!? A true service animal is less of a nuisance than your average child these days & they don’t have the waitresses cleaning the rubbish they throw/drop… They don’t scream like their possessed & in need of a priest & they are required to have all common health shots….
I believe in most states, the handler is always liable.
I work at a hotel which is pet friendly. As soon as the words Service Animal come into play we do not ask questions. However, I have seen guests that will say the same thing thinking we do not allow pets or because they want to avoid the $20 dollar pet fee that our hotel enforces. Which to me is both EXTREMELY offensive and absolutely disgusting. Service animals are hard working individuals that work to ones disability. Which to me should not be used lightly with people who do not have service animals and just want to take a short cut. I have always thought a vest stating service animal on a service animal should be instated, to be able to differentiate from a working animal versus a pet for leisure. I have read some comments that state it brings negative attention. NO service animal owner should ever feel less of an individual. I think it’s AMAZING what these animals can do for people. Shame on those who bring negative energy attention to service animal owners.
Thank you…I have a service animal and have more times than I care to count be aggressively attacked by people who think because she is small she is not a service animal. I would have no problem with a certification registry, however, we all know this too can be abused.
They all have vests now, fake or real.
There are a great deal of sick people who seem normal otherwise and have functional jobs who harass and segregate Service Dogs and their people ALL THE TIME. Hence, why they don’t wear vests all the time, nor are required to at all. Anyone who challenges the FEDERAL LAW will end up losing in court ( and paying a great deal of money to the person offended — hence the Law ).
I have a question about service dogs, I work at an extended stay and a resident has 2 very large dogs and said they were service dogs, they are always barking at people and usually, they are walked with a muzzle, but on one particular day she was walking one of the dogs (both are big german shepherds) and was walking up to a couple of us I asked her if the dog was nice she said yes walked up to me and the dog bit my stomach then bit my hand because I pushed him off my stomach. now my question is due to this behavior and the fact that they are kept kenneled all day long except when they are getting walked, is there anything that can be done or somewhere it can be reported to. I am all for service animals I just don’t believe they should be biting people
How do I get myself a service dog.
I have psychosomatic pain since 2016 and it really takes in so much life quality because I have the pain everyday and I don’t know what to do anymore. I think a service dog would give me a big more lifevback
So how do I get one??
If you don’t need it to do something physical for you (at least three separate tasks such as: turn on light switches, help open doors, pick up items, step on your foot if you stop moving, provide itself as a pillow if you’re having a seizure, etc) then you probably need an ESA instead of a service animal. Those are not service dogs but can provide emotional support. Sometimes just having a pet to take care of can help with quality of life. Ideally you’ll need to speak to your doctor if you think you qualify for one and they should help you identify what tasks you need assistance with and give some sort of recommendation as to what type of service animal will work best for you.
This is crap generalization, my dog is trained to calm me in the event of an anxiety attack, if you have never had one then you have no right to comment, also PTSD & anxiety are no longer considered emotional disorders, if they ever were to begin with. Please be more informed before you state what you “know”
I have PTSD and an alert dog. I also take medication, though it doesn’t always work. Anxiety can be mental health or medical depending on the Doctor. Sounds like your dog provides a service.
There is no basis in law that a service animal has to be trained to do three service tasks.
I think someone has gotten the law quite confused… By law enforceable by Department of Just “3” simple QUESTIONS are allowed to be asked. Not Tasks. If the question of tasks SA does; required answer cannot violate one HIPPA Rights. Ie seizures: aids & attends to a disruption I may experience. Not good enough??? Too bad….
Please KNOW what you are talking about before you give out information to people! A Service Animal is NOT required to perform 3 tasks to be a Service Animal! It amazes me how many people give out false information. It goes to show how many people are falsely passing off a SA. It is infuriating because these types of things are part of what causes major issues for legitimate teams.
I have no idea where you are getting the three task idea. As service dog is one that is trained to assist its owner in whatever way to go through life with their disability. No where in the ADA regulations does it state three of anything.
By law 3 questions are allowed to be asked… Enforceable by Department of Justice. Answers appropriate should not leave a handler feeling as if their HIPPA Right are violated & should be asked & answered respectfully….
Humane society
Dumb Response, you haven’t a Quality medical background ( actually read the ADA ) for 70% of all ADA are UNSEEN. PTSD is one of them.
It sounds like you don’t need a service dog but you might need a therapy dog. Not being a doctor though I cannot know for sure what you need. The first step you need to take is to talk to your doctor. Tell him why you think you need a service dog. Then listen to your doctor. A service dog is used for medical reasons. If you are not pleased with what your doctor says get a second opinion. Just remember that a dog cannot be a service dog without a doctor saying that you need a service dog and the dog must be trained either by you or a professional trainer.
Muchas gracias. ?Como puedo iniciar sesion?
I think businesses like hotels, restaurants, Etc. should be allowed to ask owners who claim to have ada service animals for their animal identification card. If not why give them one in the first place. If you’re not allowed to ask for any animal identification card by law. What’s to stop someone from claiming their animal is a service dog when it really isn’t.
I work for a hotel and get customers and all the time claiming to have service animals. Since I can’t ask for there i.d. without threats of being sued. There’s no real way of knowing if the dog this is legit or not. I’m sure only about 5% of Our Guest who claimed they have service animals are really real ada service animals. I mean I understand that you shouldn’t be allowed to ask for medical paperwork or having the dog perform a task to show that it is one. I was told by a guest that her service animal have the same rights as a human. And if that is true. it’s not illegal to ask a human for their identification when they are purchasing cigarettes, alcohol for operating a vehicle to verify who they say they are. If we didn’t have identification cards that had to be shown anyone cuz they there anybody or any age.
Is a hospital or doctors office allowed to insist on a copy of vaccinations for a service dog in order for the service dog to accompany me?
That is a really good question. Most towns and states mandate Dogs get specific shots and have a tag. I would think they could ask that given safety issues. Having a service animal doesn’t exempt you from having tags on your dog, it just means you have an accommodation to have the dog.
No. Get a good attorney.
Especially since vaccines CAUSE disease and do not prevent it and it is a violation of your personal and religious rights
on top of ADA Laws which are FEDERAL.
Actually all service animal have to be vacinated and spayed or neutered. So if its your doctor why not show them because unvacinated posses risks to others pets at home especially parvo
I was asked by a n Amtrack rep to tell her what School and the name of the instructor where my dog was trained. Also, what service she provided. Did I have papers? I have had 2 stroke s since I got her, I told the rep that and she scoffed audible. It’s not like there is a GUIDE DOGS OF THE STOP BREATHING.
There two things they can ask Is this a service do and what is it trained to do and that can’t be done by just everyone that works at the company. What she did was not only wrong and officious but illegal. Go to ADA rules and regulations its an easy read.
Susan, my sympathies, I too have run into such ignorant people while out with my service dog. Here is a link to the ADA website you might find helpful. https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
Fired & Federal Fines for that employee ASAP. Just saying.
When going through training with my Service Dog, I was taught that ALL Service Dogs are trained to have “all four on the floor”, meaning that if it is being carried (or pushed in a stroller, buggy or cart), then it could be a Support Dog, but is NOT a Service Dog by ADA standards.
My service dog weighs 19 pounds and is 16 inches tall. There are lots of public situations where “all four on the floor” puts her in danger of being stepped on. So yes, when we are in a crowded area she is often carried. For her own safety. And if she feels unsafe on a crowd she will put her front paws up on my thigh, which is exactly what she is trained to do if she is afraid of all the feet around too close to her. And occasionally when we are sitting in a crowded area she is on my lap rather than under the chair. Especially if there are lots of kids around trying to bother her. Unlike a bigger service dog, parents don’t seem to feel their kids need to respect a tiny dog. So if I don’t feel like babysitting other people’s kids, the dog sits in my lap where I can be 100% sure she isn’t being harassed.
I called the ada and spoke with a rep. I have pseudoseizures and I explained to her what my dog does for me. I use a wheelchair in public places and my service dog rides on my lap. If I have a seizure he will stand and lean up against me putting pressure on my legs and my chest. She told me that was fine and if I went into a restaurant to be sure the dog was not eating from the table. I assured her that would not be happening. So to say a service dog must have all four on the floor is not true in every case.
If you are legally allowed to be there, then so is your service animal. Allergies of other people is not a reason to not allow you access.
recheck your information that is not stated in the ADA rules and regulations.
There is NO ADA requirement for service dogs to have “all four on the floor”. That is a common misconception. There are rules however, regarding service animals not being on tables or chairs, such as in eating establishments…nor are they required to provide food or water for a service animal. No legitimate service dog handler would have their dog anywhere but quietly at their feet under their table. There are many “small” breeds that serve as service dogs & it is not unusual for them to be carried. Also, PTSD dogs are often trained to provide “tactile stimulation” by putting their upper body in their handlers lap to put pressure against their abdomens. This trained action (task) would leave only “two feet on the floor”. This is one of the tasks my dog is trained to dog when I experience a panic attack.
Again, idiots who think they have an actual medical background.
Reference “Seizure Alert Animals” — many require to be next to the person’s torso.
Our apartment complex wants a signed form from my husbands doctor saying what’s wrong with him and why he needs the service dog when she is registered and has an identification card, if we do not get this form signed from a doctor then we will have to pay a $450 fee to have her in our apartment…. one question… is this legal?
This is not legal.
No ma’am! That is not legal! 1st you can explain to the landlord, that your husband’s “health records” like their own are protected under HIPPA law.
In order for me to even get my service dog I had to provide the trainer a “order” (if you will). So that again is covered under HIPPA.
THEN Kindly ask them to look up and read their rights along with yours.
In there it will state THEY CAN NOT ASK NOR REQUIRE THAT INFO.
I hope this rate helps in some way…
I love in a small close minded area…its very hard w a derive animal…
No. Requiring anything besides a doctor indicating it’s medically needed is in violation…..
Boy, are they playing fast and loose.
Tell them no way, and let them try and evict you.
They will be in for a lesson they never will forget when your attorney takes over.
And you will afford a much nicer place, compliments of their Criminal Behaviors towards you.
Where is she registared ? Thru this company or thru the federal governments company . go back and read ada laws there is no legal registory
We have a customer at our restaurant who’s service dog is filthy causing other patrons to complain. The dog is not groomed and leaves excessive amounts of fur behind. What actions can we take to keep this from happening?
If a service dog is not under control and the handler fails to act to gain to control, a business owner or staff member is permitted to ask that the animal be removed from the premises.
A handler may also be asked to remove a service dog that is not housebroken, is behaving aggressively, or is otherwise posing a threat to human health and safety.
Absolutely! Thank you for tactfully, respectfully & by legal statutes putting things into plain English.
Service Animals have to BE CLEAN.
Just like the people entering the restaurant.
does a dog go through harsh training to become a service dog
No, any trainer that is harsh should be reported for animal abuse. Good trainers do it with time, patience and knowledge.
Not necessarily.
If a patient brings in a “service” dog to a surgical clinic, can I require them to sign a form that affirms the need due to a disability (we don’t ask what it is) and that lists what work or task it has been trained to do. it is standard to put that information into our medical record.
Your request does not seem unreasonable, however I believe you cannot require written info. However you can ask what work it has been trained for and most people with disabilities that are not obvious don’t have a problem explaining what it is. Also if I remember correctly Airlines as for the doctor’s letter, but no sure the new regulations have outlawed that. Go to the ADA Rules and Regulations for service animals to confirm.
Not, Not, Never, Ever…. Unless breaking Department of Justice Laws are acceptable too?!? Even healthcare worker have to respect boundaries of HIPPA . So, unless the the day wound care has anything to do with the seizure like disorder one has say from extensive PTSD; hands off…. Just saying.
Yes. Those are the exact questions businesses and companies are legally allowed to ask, and there shouldn’t be a problem with them filling out that form.
Read the ADA — unbelievable you run a clinic and don’t know the law —
you’ll be in for the lawsuit of your life — on so many levels.
Ignorance is not bliss in this case.
IT IS NOT LEGAL FOR A LANDLORD TO DO THAT. SUGGESTION: SEND A COPY OF YOUR RIGHTS TO LANDLORD.
ALONG WITH STATEMENT ASKING DO THEY NEED YOUR LAWYER TO CONTACT THEM AND HELP WITH ANY QUESTIONS THEY MAY STILL HAVE!! 🙂
Is it ok for pet screening to ask you for an Esa letter for a handler?
No
My tenant (in a rental house) has a service dog for her 7 year old daughter. Am I allowed to collect a damage deposit for the pet? Also, there is an HOA community pool. Service dogs are allowed, but what happens when the child is in the pool? She would need an adult with her – what happens to the dog?
No deposits allowed.
Read the ADA.
Question: Can a landlord in low income housing ask a tenant to not leave their service dog alone at home for long periods of time?
If it’s a service dog, it should be with you at all times
No
Regular housing is regular housing — not a hotel.
Can leave alone all they want as long as the animal is not causing a disturbance to the other tenants.
Illegal to ask that is animal is fine alone.
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
A SERVICE DOG IS TRAINED TO BE WITH THE HANDLER AND ACCOMPANY HIM/HER AT ALL TIMES ON A LEASH. NO EXCUSE.
If my service dog doesn’t have a service vest or tags can a business or fast food place or restaurant ask to see the tags for him?
Why would your service dog not have a vest or tags?
Does a Service Dogs have to wear a vest? You may be surprised to learn that according to the Americans with Disabilities Act Service Dogs are not required to wear a vest at all, in fact they are not required to have any identification at all.
https://www.workingservicedog.com/do-service-dogs-have-to-wear-a-vest.aspx
You aren’t legally required to show any credentials. If you decide to carry identification, that’s your choice that would probably benefit you if you do want to prove anything, but you’re not required to. You have nothing to prove and they must serve you and the animal regardless.
Is an emotional support dog prescribed by a physician or psychologist a service dog?
A canine ESA is never a service dog, it’s always an ESA. ADA only allows ESA’s protection under FHA. You can Google it for more info.
https://esadoctors.com/emotional-support-animal-doctors-note/
Either to include psychiatrists & therapist….
Do I need a written note or “prescription” for a service dog?
https://esadoctors.com/ask-doctor-emotional-support-animal-letter/
For it to be certified? You would need it to be evaluated by a government approved evaluator for the legal certificate. To prove to others? You need no proof according to the law.
I’m having difficulty understanding why an establishment which doesn’t allow animals has to change their policy just because someone CLAIMS to have a service animal. I have no problem allowing a well trained service animal, but if I have no right to ask for proof, there is no merit to the law. A doctor has to have a degree and prove it by displaying his credentials. Therefore why can’t we ask for credentials for the service dog. People everywhere are taking advantage of this law and bringing untrained FIDO everywhere. Where is our protection???
You don’t have a right to demand “protection” when that protection would make life more difficult for the disabled community. You don’t have a right to complain about accommodations that are trying to even the playing field so that those of us with disabilities have a chance of living comfortably in a world that doesn’t do much to help people who have different needs. I know that you think it isn’t a big deal to require credentials, but requiring that sort of “proof” both creates extra barriers for disabled people and opens disabled people up to harassment and to social alienation.
Obtaining a service dog, or self training one, is already a difficult, expensive, and time-consuming process. There are plenty of disabled people who aren’t able to have service dogs, even under the current regulations, because they can’t afford to hire professional training, can’t afford a dog that would be able to meet their specific needs, or aren’t able to spend the time and energy required to self-train a service dog. Given how difficult the process of getting a service dog already is, adding any more requirements and red tape would make getting necessary accommodations even more impossible for disabled people. Not to mention the fact that people with service dogs deserve to be able to live their lives without constantly being harassed by strangers and asked for “proof.” Can you imagine if, every time you went to a store or restaurant, you were stopped at the door and singled out, asked to provide something other patrons don’t have to? It would be embarrassing and would make you feel alienated, which is something disabled people already regularly face. I agree that it is very wrong for an able-bodied person to try to pass off an untrained dog as a service animal, especially if that animal is aggressive. But making life harder for disabled people is simply not the answer, and you should try to have a little more empathy. It’s really difficult navigating a world that is typically not built to accommodate those of us with different needs, and we deserve to have easy access to accommodations and to be free from harassment. There will always be a few bad eggs that will take advantage of the system, but that’s not an excuse to make life harder for those of us with disabilities. The real solution is to spread awareness about how important it is for people to not present untrained dogs as service dogs, and to teach people to understand that accommodations are not an extra benefit but rather a necessity, and as such it is harmful to pretend to need one if you don’t. I know that even spreading that sort of message won’t stop every jerk who decides to fake a service dog, but I’d rather a few jerks get away with doing that than have a system which harms the ability of disabled people to obtain needed accommodations.
I hope you can look back on your comment and realize that you were being a little bit selfish, and that in the future you can think less about how these things inconvenience you and think more about the needs of people who don’t have things as easy as you.
Unfortunately most of the people I see have dogs that are truly not service dogs. They are people that just want their pets with them is want to avoid paying a pet fee. I realize that dogs for the blind go through extensive training. I understand that dogs for many different disabilities are trained for many different things. What I don’t understand is why there is not a basic training required for ALL service dogs that are going to be in public. At least pass the Canine Good Citizen training. I don’t know the percentage of false service dogs. You keep referring to “a few”. I would guess more than half are not. At least here in Southern California. Go to the malls in Orange County. Everyone has a dog with them and they are all “service dogs”! I’m a special ed teacher and have gone through training for 2 therapy dogs. I just think it has gotten out of control and there needs to be some accountability.
I’m disabled and while i agree with the intention of your comment I do not agree with its practicality. I would first like to point out that after spending inordinate amounts of time and possibly money in having a service dog, the minor inconvenience of mailing in the proof to receive an ID to prove it is not preventative in the process. And if there were a requirement that you be willing to present this proof when asked it would immediately eliminate some of the need for doing so, eventually eliminating this need to a great extent. Right now, those who are selfish enough to pass off their pet as a service animal are able to do so only because there is no way to prove them wrong. The law protects the outlaws. If everyone out a legit service dog had to be able to prove it then that protection goes away. People would stop trying to pass off their pets because it would mean jail or fines. Then we would very soon come to a point where the only people with dogs in the restaurant were legit service animals and there would be little need to ask for proof anymore. It would also allow law enforcement to enforce the laws where these people would actually be caught and face consequences. The truth of the matter is, no matter how bad we want to be the same as everyone else, we arent. We never will be. We will always require some sort of accommodation. We have to accept that. That’s why the words “reasonable accommodation” are used. It isn’t reasonable that in our pursuit of having everything the same we ask others to undertake a risk to themselves or keep them from being able to protect themselves, as is the case with untrained animals being allowed into public spaces bogusly using our rights to protect them. In addition, a simple ID card issued by a government agency would do more to protect our privacy than the current laws. We wouldn’t have to identify any personal medical info that isn’t already provided to the DMV for our ha dicapped placards and people would never need to ask what the dog is trained to do. I work a lot with disabled veterans and this subject comes up a lot and every single one I have talked to is all for registering for the reasons I have stated. We would rather that we be viewed as legit, and our dogs, than to face the discrimination and embarrassment that we have to suffer due to these imposters making us all look bad. Thee has to be a way to tell the difference between the legit and the rubbish or we are all going to be tainted the same.
Well put Sara and Jacquie your protection is your common sense and the same as it is when out in public in other places. Do you demand that people walking their dogs, playing in the park or have a parrot or monkey give you certified protection as to their behaviour?
The merit is it’s illegal to ask as it’s illegal to fake the funk shall we say. Would you like people to infer you are inferior having service animal allowed you to leave your house as it is a deterrent or assists you when you have seizure like disorder only You Are Fully Awake & Can’t Move, Talk or maybe even blink? Would you like to be an almost absolute shut in because you were afraid of being vulnerable after the worst things that humans can do to each other has left you in this disabling state. It kills me it’s simple. If someone has a service animal & animal does not cause harm to others than who are we to give them a harder time in life. I simply think of how would I like to be treated?!?
HARASSMENT — everywhere they go everyone can ask for papers? Doctors aren’t asked for credentials everywhere they go for they are not doctors everywhere they go — only at the hospital. Incredibly imbecilic analogy — if I were judging a debate
in my editor capacity — you’d get an F and thrown off the debate team for a poor paradigm.
You’d make a fine Nazi.
If a so called “service dog” is allowed to urinate and even “poo-poo” in a hotel room, must the hotel extend their stay or can they be denied a room?
If the dog is not housebroken, does damage or is aggressive and cannot be controlled by owner. You can ask guest to remove animal and charge damage fee. You cannot ask the guest to leave.
I often hear complaints from both customers and staff about service animals, for the purpose of this question I am only going to ask about service animals and not emotional support animals. The biggest complaint that I have never found a good answer for is that with so many people using the “this is my service animal” excuse to just bring their pets into places why can’t people ask for identification or proof that this is an actual service animal? People need proof of handicap to park in those spaces why not have something like that available for service animals as well? It wouldn’t say what the disability is.
I agree! Why can’t people ask for proof/credentials. Why can’t some sort of identification be made mandatory. It doesn’t have to say what the disability is just that this is a legit service animal. We need to apply for and prove we have a handicap to get that decal so we can park in handicap spaces. We have to show proof or identification to get a library card, pick up mail, vote, buy a house, or pay via credit card (if you have employees that actually follow the ask for id protocols) why shouldn’t animal people have something they can show.
I started training my service dog in public after getting over the fear of what my interaction with people will be. Trust me my dog is far from being perfect and passing the test but we just started this journey. I went to the gas station and immediately the owner starts falsely yelling that my dog was sniffing the food etc even tho he was nowhere near the food. My dog sat calmly next to me as I stated the laws and a customer watched this whole interaction. If you see a dog with a handler even if the dog isn’t behaving perfectly approach us nicely please. Some of us are still afraid and just trying to live our life as best as we can. You never know what that person is going through It’s not like you yell at little kids that misbehave like that. My dog and I are trying but we are not perfect.
I manage a trailer park and have strict rules that all dogs be leached or tethered at all times outside. This rule was implemented for the safety of all residents as well as keeping dogs from going to the bathroom in other people’s yards. While trying to enforce this rule I was told that the dog was a service dog. The resident did show the dogs ID but sternly told me that service dogs are not required to leashed under law. Meanwhile I continue to get complaints about this dog puttying in everyone’s yards. Any solutions?
I love dogs. Unfortunately I am living in an apartment where the tenant above me has a 50 pound support dog/service dog. I said unfortunately because the dog barks at various times and very loud. He scratches like crazy and we can hear the pounding on the wood floor. It is making us crazy. The tenant above us is nasty and not easy to talk to. We don’t have much help from Management either. She said, according to the laws he could have a horse if he wanted. PLEASE ADVICE. Do I have any rights?
By law service animals can not be unruly basically but, do not have to be seen & not heard 24/7. It’s sad as all dogs are not “born “ that way & it’s owner driven behavior unless maybe a medical condition. I hope you find help.
A Service Dog CANNOT CAUSE ANY DISTURBANCES or can be asked to leave ( ADA LAW )>
Show that to your manager and if it doesn’t cease you have TWO defendants —
the management in tandem with the egregious tenant.
QUIET ENJOYMENT OF THE PREMISES IS INHERENT IN ALL LEASES.
Different laws for service animals then emotional support animals where housing is concerned however a service dog in its own home is allowed to bark. Mine has to bark if unable to unlock a door to get me help if i crash so stating dog cant bark at its own home is bs. Now i do know that most apartments do have a quiet time and if dog is barking during that time you may want to stop being selfish and maybe knock on their door and make sure they are not dying and need an ambulance
UNCONSTITUTIONAL!
Is it illegal to film my service dog (even if They crop my face out, I’m a minor)?
Now I don’t mean to come across as offensive or insensitive. I do believe that service animals have a great use in helping people. But I work at a hotel that is not pet friendly. I know with service animals I’m relatively informed on what I can and cant ask. My question is why are people required to have documentation for their animal. Like what is stopping ever dog owner just saying that it is a service animal and getting around the no pet policy in hotels throughout the nation. Because they could say it is for (blank) but we cant ask them to prove it or anything. So how do I go about it and not offend literally everyone that has a service animal
I just attempted to ride on our local regional bus service. I have a psychiatric support dog weighing 10 lbs. I was denied admittance on the bus, stating that emotional support animals are not allowed.
I have my service dog due to severe anxiety with dissociative panic attacks, and social anxiety.
My need for my dog is most important when trying to travel on public transportation. I am working with a mental health team, and taking public transportation is one of my goals. My community connection worker was with me as well.
The driver repeatedly said that ESAs are not allowed, and wanted proof that she was a service dog (certification, a vest or tag, etc.), and asked why she is a service dog.. I stated the ADA laws, and what he was allowed to ask, and the whole vest/ID thing. When I was trying to educate him, and he was being a self-righteous arse, I told him to look up the law. He walked away from me and supposedly called his supervisor. He came back and said that they do not allow “dogs for comfort”. SMH. if I can’t take my service dog on public transportation, I will remain isolated in my Bedrock-type town. That brings about a whole different set of issues.
Lastly, Having an invisible illness that is a sensitive issue, does anyone have suggestions for stating what her task is without disclosing my illness? She puts her paws or paws either around my wrist, or on my face when I begin to have a panic attack and zone out. This reorients me.
I refuse to spend my disability income on unnecessary id just to satisfy ignorant people and/or draw unwanted attention to myself. I will be lodging complaint with the DOT, along with a copy of the ada laws. Thanks. Sorry so long…
It’s simple. Clarify it’s not an ESA & ask them to stop the bus & all passengers as he/she makes contacts Senior Dispatch Employee. That’s already too much for goal/task at hand? No worries. I totally get that & your team is not just there to give out advice, homework & therapy. They should also help you navigate this situation In Person if they believe your service animal is necessary. Also, I would not afford a deferential/confusion of the ADA ignorant. Simply tell anyone who asks: it’s a service animal, yes it aided me with the disabilities & the services it renders aid me when my condition should arise or better it precludes some conditions. I wish you the best of luck, you are your best advocate & you’ve totally got this.🙏🏼
I am wondering about emotional Support dogs. I have a service dog because I am legally blind. I went to Walmart in Whitehall, PA where I live. As I was leaving the store, a young lady who had an Emotional Support Dog; and said oh look at the big dog and started walking towards me. I told her that she can not bring her dog over to me, because he is an actual service dog. This dog did not have a vest, orany paperwork with it. The person at the door told her she could not bring the dog in and the woman that was with this young lady, ignored her and kept on walking. Now I find a website for emotional support dogs and they are selling a kit for these dogs. I don’t think it is fair that they are doing this. And I wish someone would make a sign that says do not pet or talk to me I am working.
Thanks
I have a patch on my service dog’s vest that says please do not pet, I am working. You can have a patch added to any vest you might already have for your dog. You would think that it would be common sense that a service dog is NOT a pet and people should not approach or pet without at least asking first!
Emotional support dogs are different than service dogs yes. Most definitely. Unfortunately, some clinicians have defined some patients who need device animals as psychological support animals or phrasing as such. Either, any & all require certification/script etc but, only a landlord is privileged to simple facts provided by clinician. As for people not listening… Ah. They simply don’t listen. Best wishes.
How about you able bodied people who have the time to go bitching about trainined dogs and disabled business,go train your kids and grandkids to act right. Afterwards teach them and yourselves to mind your dam business!?!? Mmmmkay
Hahahaaaa! Im in love with you Ashley! Marry me, please!
Amen! Preach!!!🙏🏼
Why is it an issue to have people who have service dogs carry a card proving so? I have to carry my license to drive in case I am pulled over or if I want to buy alcohol/tobacco products. I have seen true service dogs at work. They are very disciplined and focused on their person/job. I have also seen dogs that are barely controlled by their person which makes me doubt they are truly service dogs. So how does an id card discriminate? Some states have fines/jail time if you lie about your animal being a service dog. How do you know they are lying if you can’t ask for proof? When it attacks someone and there is an investigation? Sadly some dog owners ruin it or those that actually have and need service animals. I will no longer shop in a store that has a dog walking around without a service vest on. Like many other people, I have had a bad experience with a dog (bitten) and am not comfortable around most of them. If I, or a family member, were ever to be bitten in a store by a dog whose owner falsely claimed that it was a service dog I would definitely look into suing the ADA for not providing a means for people to verify a dog’s service status. This law offers no protection to the general public and is abused by some pet owners…which is disgusting and why id cards, and vests, should be mandatory.
Having a license to drive a vehicle is a priviledge, having a disability isn’t. Individuals have a right to medical accommodations which is what ADA considers, service and therapy dogs. ADA & FHA consider ESAs non pets for housing.
I feel like until you experience what it’s like to have a disability you really need to stop complaining and keep your ableist opinions to yourself. Obtaining a service dog, or self training one, is already a difficult, expensive, and time-consuming process. There are plenty of disabled people who aren’t able to have service dogs, even under the current regulations, because they can’t afford to hire professional training, can’t afford a dog that would be able to meet their specific needs, or aren’t able to spend the time and energy required to self-train a service dog. Given how difficult the process of getting a service dog already is, adding any more requirements and red tape would make getting necessary accommodations even more impossible for disabled people. Not to mention the fact that people with service dogs deserve to be able to live their lives without constantly being harassed by strangers and asked for “proof.” Can you imagine if, every time you went to a store or restaurant, you were stopped at the door and singled out, asked to provide something other patrons don’t have to? It would be embarrassing and would make you feel alienated, which is something disabled people already regularly face. I agree that it is very wrong for an able-bodied person to try to pass off an untrained dog as a service animal, especially if that animal is aggressive. But making life harder for disabled people is simply not the answer, and you should try to have a little more empathy. It’s really difficult navigating a world that is typically not built to accommodate those of us with different needs, and we deserve to have easy access to accommodations and to be free from harassment. There will always be a few bad eggs that will take advantage of the system, but that’s not an excuse to make life harder for those of us with disabilities. The real solution is to spread awareness about how important it is for people to not present untrained dogs as service dogs, and to teach people to understand that accommodations are not an extra benefit but rather a necessity, and as such it is harmful to pretend to need one if you don’t. I know that even spreading that sort of message won’t stop every jerk who decides to fake a service dog, but I’d rather a few jerks get away with doing that than have a system which harms the ability of disabled people to obtain needed accommodations.
I don’t see a problem requiring service animals to have ID and vests in view at all times as long as you don’t have a problem being strip searched in full public view every time you want to visit a restaurant, grocery store, or other public place. After all you *could* be carrying concealed weapons or illegal drugs so strip searching you would provide a valuable public service. Does that sound like a fair trade to you? If not and if you want to keep your private parts private please respect the rights of people with disabilities to have a little privacy themselves.
My dog is black and we dont drive those vests make her to hot in summer
UNCONSTITUTIONAL!
It is an issue precisely because the law doesn’t require it. Educate yourself before you open your big mouth. The DMV is a specific agency that issues and governs the issuance of drivers licenses. There is no corollary for service ani.als. Anyone who has one got it online from some retailer with no legal authority.
Same way just about anyone can have a baby…. It’s their business until you make it your business because they have no business….
So when your service dog has completed training then what? If you’ve trained him yourself do you take him somewhere to be certified or do you need a doctors note? I’m confused on how people actually prove their dog truly is a service dog. Thank you
You don’t need to prove it, legally. I find it helps to carry around little paper print-outs stating the service dog law regarding identification, public access, behavior and actions, and a business’s expectations of a service animal. Or you could copy and print your service dog certificate. Hope this helps.
Only one word to sum this up:
OBSERVATION
I guess this is a strange question. I work for a whitewater rafting company. Service animals are completely welcome on our property. No problems, no questions asked. My question is, what if a customer wants to take the service animal on the rafting trip? There is so much to consider. First, the animal’s life jacket (PFD) has to be certified by the Coast Guard (which we do not supply). Second, our rafts can hold up to 8 people. If the customer with the service animal is by him/her self or a party of 2 or 3, how can our company place them in a raft with other paying customers? Other customers may be afraid of certain animals or be allergic. Plus I know most people with true service animals do not like their animals to be petted by others. I’m just trying to get my facts. Thank you in advance.
Please come to denver and teach people what a service dog is! I constantly see dogs who are obviously not service dogs in places they don’t belong. When I bring this to the management everyone here is so scared to say anything , that they just let these people continue about there lives.
If you are In a public place, where your dog doesn’t belong, I will approach you and ask about your “service dog”.
I love my dogs, they are my family, but they dont belong in the supermarket.
I would never take someones right to have a service dog away, but the blatant abuse to these loose definitions, and peoples misunderstanding of the rules is infuriating!
I work in a grocery in Virginia, an on several occasions customers bringing in dogs without service vests or identifying markings showing they are service dogs have either put the dog in the shopping cart where an infant would sit or I even had one customer with his dog inside a carrier, put the dog on the service conveyor belt where customers lie food to be rang up. Is this considered legal, and are they health code violations against this …!?!
I sincerely love all animals BUT I would never allow my pet or pets on the kitchen table or counters or any place where I would place food or have food …!
Are service animals allowed to be placed in shopping carts where food is placed or conveyor belts where food is being placed …!?! An what are laws concerning this …!?!
Service dogs don’t legally have to have a vest or anything. With that being said Virginia is horrible for people with actual service dogs. My local big box stores won’t mention names allows fake in does nothing and doesn’t care about actual disabled people. Several fakes have attacked my girlfriend’s service dog( he is for medical alert and response) and they did nothing. It ridiculous they are literally putting actual service dogs in danger by letting in fakes and pets. Just because they say it’s a service dog doesn’t mean it’s a service dog. Honestly all businesses should be asking 1.) Is it a service dog needed to mitigate a disability? And 2.) What tasks is it trained to do to mitigate that disability? Most fakes can’t answer the second question because their service dog is fake and isn’t trained.
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
People should be allowed to call out others who pass off pets as service animals and those dishonest people should be fined $1000.00 for each offense (and the money would go to the person doing the calling out). However if someone calls out a person who actually is disabled by mistake then the person making that mistake should be fined $5000.00. Obviously the $5000.00 goes to the disabled person and that should take some of the sting out of being treated that way in public.
Now how do we actually make that a law and keep people from killing each other when they try to collect the money?
It’s a $10,000 penalty, not $5,000 and how cute that you think that should take away the sting of the rampant discrimination we face on a daily basis.
Impressive how it’s what “you” deem & “where” “you” deem & please do not hide behind the passive aggressive comment of “I would never…” as you just did & didn’t have the decency to give tactful & articulate examples of your righteous decisions about people You highly like know absolutely about. Is the dog well behaved, attentive to handler, clean & conducting business that does not directly affect you? Confirmations you have come across a four legged mammal that behaves better than 10 year old 2 legged mammal that have usually had several humans by this time to teach them better than a dog; mans best friend. May you find enlightenment & peace….. & Not A Life Altering Disability That Leaves You Other Than Blind or Paralyzed as those are only two conditions SA’s are scripted for right?!?!?!?!
Does anyone know how it is handled when a spouse is refusing to let someone have back their service dog in a divorce? My service animal provides me assistance due to black out spells from multiple heart conditions as well as PTSD. My grandmother got sick and needed help so I went to help her but couldn’t bring my service animal due to the nature of everything. It was only supposed to be a few days and there would not be any period of time I was alone except sleeping. I found out my spouse is cheating on me and decided to stay longer. I told her I would work something out and come get my service animal and she has refused. She says that because I was able to go a few days without him and because he is still going through some extra training that I dont need him and she isnt giving him to me. My apartment complex contacted me today stating that he has been acting weird and barking at stuff and she is not properly handling him. He has never done that with me except once when a big dog someone was walking went crazy and tried to attack him and me. It has now been a couple weeks I have been trying to get him. Can she legally refuse to return him to me? If I have to deal with it in the divorce will the courts rule in my favor since its a service dog? I am just trying to find out how screwed I am or if I am going to get lucky with this because it is not easy and it is very time consuming and in some cases expensive to obtain/train a service animal.
If you have paperwork that makes him a service animal, for instance he was trained by a service dog agency or you have a prescription from your doctor saying you needed a service dog, then all you have to do is call the police. She is not holding onto the family pet, she has stolen a necessary medical device. It’s the same as if she took the wheelchair away from a paraplegic. If your claim is legit, the police will escort you to the property to retrieve the dog. You do not have to wait for the court and should not if it is a legit service dog.
Your Attorney is your best bet for the fasted return to you.
I’m pretty sure withholding your service dog from you is illegal. It actually counts as cruelty to the animal, number 13 on the list: “13. Intentionally or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over a service animal with the intent to deprive the service animal handler of the service animal.” You can find this in Title 13. Criminal Code. Chapter 29. Offenses Against Public Order. I hope this helps and you get your dog back.
Does a service dog owner have to carry proof that the dog is a service dog? I was told by a store manager that I must carry proof with me.
No. Google the Americans with Disabilities Act. It’s amazing that other people with disabilities (like myself) are not intimately familiar with a law written a full 28 years ago that is designed specifically to protect their rights.
No. Vests and ID cards are NOT required.
No. According to the ADA, a manager or owner CANNOT ask your for any type of proof that your animal is a service animal. It’s illegal. The problem with that is that is how those who’s animals are not actually service animals get away with the deception.
No, Not, Never, Ever But…. Said ADA patron might tell them by law they are not required to & you have your script or what not & the Direct Number to the Department of Justice so they report themselves as violating a disabled person’s right with all THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION PROVIDED & THEN TALK ABOUT YOUR PAPERWORK. Not yelling at you btw just ignorant ASSinine (yes extra s for extra stupid people) excuses of mankind. Ironic no! Mankind does not necessarily mean KindMan. Best of luck.
Does anybody know how I can sue an establishment for walking in with my service dog and immediately being told to leave and I pulled out my paperwork I actually have a prescription with my medical information which is against the law for them to know due to Hyppa and they required required to see it. My dog is highly trained I have seizures and she can find help she knows how to dial 911 on a telephone she knows how to use the SOS on iPhones and I really would like to Sue this is Establishment I’m not one of those people who overreact about little things there was a lot of discrimination towards me they even made me cry and I left so if anybody can provide any information please contact me I would greatly appreciate it I live in Massachusetts it happened in New Hampshire
No you don’t. It’s not actually required by law.
Can people with dogs essentially lie that there dog is a service dog, just to force them down some one else’s throut?
Not really. As any legitimate service dog owner can attest, we spend many hours and a lot of money on training our dogs to become the service dog we need to help us through the day. If you encounter someone with a service dog, you are allowed to ask the following two questions:
1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
A true service dog owner will be able to answer these without hesitation. You may find this article on what makes a service dog legal interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/what-makes-a-service-dog-legal/
No,He is violating ADA FEDERAL LAW!!
WORD OF ADVICE, SUE THE FUCK OUTTA HIM AND THE COMPANY.
My brother lives alone and he has diabetes, so, he is planning to have a dog. It was explained here that dogs can help people with disability. Furthermore, it’s recommended to consult experts when in need of medical alert service dog training.
Great advice to pursue with his clinicians.
Under ADA FEDERAL LAW, here is no such thing!! Quit trying to pass your PET a false title for your satisfaction.
Your dog is a PET
NOT a so-called “Medical Alert Service Dog”
If you continue to use this falsehood,you will be exposed, reprimanded,fined and jailed for violating the law,and generally lying.
That’s the thing, there is no required documentation, & the reason for that is bc there are two different ways to get a service dog. If you get one from an organization, then you probably will get some form of documentation with it. However, people are legally allowed to train their own service dogs, & no documentation is required for those dogs. Before any goes off saying that people shouldn’t be allowed to do this, I will give you my own story. I’ve had multiple lifelong disabilities since my early 20’s (I’m 49 now). At age 36 I realized I was starting to need some assistance w/ walking/balance. I have osteoarthritis, numerous back injuries/diagnoses, fibromyalgia, traumatic brain injury & much more. I spent my whole career working w/ people w/ all types of disabilities as well as the elderly & caregivers. I needed to continue to be independent at home as well as at work as my medical issues got worse. I met w/ a team of physical therapists to decide what the best option as far as medical technology would be to help me. A service dog was the answer. However where I live there weren’t any programs nearby to help me get one, & I would have to be on a wait list 5+ years & then travel at least 4 hours away to a program I would need to spend weeks at training with a dog. Due to my condition, I’m unable to travel that far, nor could I afford the expenses. Then I would have a dog unfamiliar to me trained with commands that I wouldn’t necessarily want to use myself. So I decided that I wanted to give training a dog myself a shot. I didn’t know if it would work, but I’m pretty intelligent, so it didn’t hurt to try, & if I couldn’t do it then I had a pet dog at the very least. Well it turned out that I am very good at it as a matter of fact. I taught myself about dog behaviors first: what their different postures mean, what the different barks mean, etc. Then I learned how to do simple training & walking on a leash. I moved on to walking on a more advanced service dog harness & more advanced commands/tasks. You have to figure out what each particular dog will work for. For some it’s a treat, others a toy, but then you get to the point where all you need is praise. There are so many things I had to teach, & it is continuous as my needs progress. What I didn’t foresee was the amazing bond that occurred from training this way. I lost my 1st service dog to lymphosarcoma not long ago. It was like losing my right hand & part of my soul. We knew what each other were thinking before we did things. He was amazing. I miss him every second of every day. Right now I have my 7 year old & my 22 month old. I make sure I have 2, & get them 6 years apart, so that I’m never without one and so they always have companions. The problem that is out there is the FAKERS! The pieces of human CRAP that buy service dog equipment from the internet so they can bring Fido to the store & to the restaurant, & then the rest of the legitimate service dog owners have to deal w/ the problems brought on by these ignorant morons when their dogs pee all over everything or attack people. The answer is not taking away the ability to purchase these items over the internet though, bc people like me need to be able to purchase the equipment we need for our legitimate animals. There is no fast & easy answer, but changes are starting to be made in the airlines & in housing laws to weed out the fakers. The one thing I can say is that it is not easy to train your own dog, & I rarely recommend it to people anymore, bc in all the years I’ve been doing this the thing I notice all the time is that most people don’t even know how to properly walk a dog or teach them how to complete even the simplest task. I wouldn’t be doing them any favors by telling them they can train their own dog. I know there are more options out there now where private individuals will help w/ training, so that’s what I usually tell folks to check into when I’m asked 100 times at the grocery store if they can pet my dog, how can they get a dog like mine & how they wish they could bring their dog to the store. As for my responses to the other 2 questions…I would gladly give you my disabilities & pain so you can bring your dog to the grocery store!…and No you can’t pet my dog. It only says that in 6 places on his harness, collar & leash. He is working. Do not talk to him, do not whistle at him or make other goofy noises to distract him, leave him alone! Would you ask a person in a wheelchair to get up out of it so you can get in it & take it for a spin??? Well that’s what you’re doing when you’re distracting my dog from his job. If he is distracted & I fall, I have another medical condition where I have a bleeding issue & I’ll bleed out quickly & die. All for you to pet my dog. Really?? Think about that next time…I’m not saying that to the person whose comment I’m replying to, so please don’t be offended. This is just info. I wanted to put out there that people need. Thanks for listening!
i just wanted to say thank you for this comment! i trained along side 3 separate trainers since I was 17 so I could train my own service dog because I cant afford one from an organization nor do live close to one at all, its been two years and my dog is constantly still learning new tasks all the time even if she is considered fully trained. and where I live is a small college town so all the college kids bring their dogs and just throw vests on them and take them everywhere its frustrating.
I work at a climbing gym. We allow dogs and of course we allow service dogs. We have a member who has a service dog that yells at people if they make a comment about the dog like “he’s cute!” or “you’re dog is really well trained”. She usually says something along the lines of “it’s illegal to ask me that” , “I can sue you for saying that” and such. One of our staff members was woking out prior to work, he has a similar dog and really likes hers, and he asked “how old is your dog?” trying to start a conversation, to which she said “you can’t ask me that it’s illegal”. Usually she yells and becomes aggressive and very upset. The dog has no identifying tags or vest that say he’s a service dog, which I know is not required. One person walked past her dog and as he passed the dog he pet him, the girl then started yelling and demanding that he be thrown out and that she can sue him and it’s illegal to have done that and that we’re legally required to tell people not to touch her dog and so on.
I guess my question(s) is / are:
1) Is it illegal for people to ask her how old her dog is?
2) Is it illegal to pet her dog (I know you’re not supposed to…strangers who don’t know…)?
3) Is it illegal to compliment her dog in any way?
4) Are we as a business required to tell people what they can and cannot do with her and her service dog?
I’m sorry I have a service animal. me personally I’m happy to talk to people about my service animal. I do like people to ask if they can pet my animal. Only because I want to make sure and see this take place. Only because I don’t want somebody saying that my animal nipped them. And I’m sorry I really don’t like people that act this way with their service animals. There is a time and a place to stand up for your rights is another time and place to be a straight jerk and that’s what this person sounds like sorry but that’s what it sounds like to me. Either she the straight jerk or she might have mental illness now you have to remember that. Because there are service dogs for people with mental illness also and you’re not allowed to ask that. So you’ll never know. But there’s also people out there that just wants to make a couple bucks to off their service animal I think. And yes there’s a time and place for that to it somebody goes way out of control for me I would only do that after I explained to them what the rules were and that they were violating my rights please don’t do that and if they kept doing it then I would have an issue. But as for me I have no problem educating people in a nice way. Because I don’t want the public hating people with Ada animals.
Service Dogs are best described as an extension of a disabled person. If a patron can’t see; they help them see the unseen. If a patron can have a sudden attack that is a chronic condition or better yet preclude that attack then that’s freaking awesome I’d think. Would someone ask someone’s eye if they can be touched? Would someone want to pet a person having a seizure like event? No. No & No. As for your client she/he is not allowed to badger other inept clients just because they are maybe ignorantto proper standards of strangers interacting with service handlers & their SE. It’s not card blanch for skip your Prozac for the day. Not being funny or sarcastic or making light of any condition as I’ve actually seen people act a fool this way & it’s even scarier to know they operate a motor vehicle (most common deadly weapon know to most adults) & will probably jump in take off as they just tried to take off some poor clients head. Best of luck & you can refuse to serve on basis of handlers behavior that’s out of line. Just saying.
1) No it’s not. It’s a friendly conversation starter and the ADA Laws saying they may ask the following- They may ask if the dog is a service animal that is required due to a disability and what type of work or task the dog has been trained to do. There’s nothing in there saying you can’t ask a service dog’s age, merely about the dog, as opposed to other questions regarding service dog status.
2) You’re not supposed to pet the service dog if they’re on duty, or working. If there’s no sign the dog’s on duty or unordinary, it’s a common mistake and a simple misunderstanding. Next time she enters maybe ask her if her dog is on duty or not at the moment.
3) It’s not, like I stated in the first answer. If it’s not regarding the service animal’s status, there’s nothing offensive or illegal about it. She can’t sue you for saying her dog has nice eyes.
4) No you aren’t. In fact, your business has the right to refuse service for that woman. Individuals or groups who are causing trouble or being disruptive may be asked to leave. That woman has been disrespectful of other customers and by extension, your business. If her attitude is influencing other customers’ actions or disrupting others, you have full right to kick her out and ban her, service dog or not. If you choose to, however, I suggest recording a few minutes of the disruptive occurrences in case she tries to blame or sue you for anything.
I strongly suggest talking to the woman first and seeing how a conversation excluding the dog would differentiate. If she’s still rude, kick her out and don’t let her come back. That simple. I hope everything works out for you.
1) Is it illegal for people to ask her how old her dog is? It’s in no way illegal. As someone who has a service dog, at times when I’m busy and it’s the 7th time in one day I’ve been asked, it can be exhausting, but not illegal.
2) Is it illegal to pet her dog (I know you’re not supposed to…strangers who don’t know…)?
Distracting a service dog is a violation, especially if the dog is performing a task that can save the owners life
3) Is it illegal to compliment her dog in any way? Not at all.
4) Are we as a business required to tell people what they can and cannot do with her and her service dog? Not exactly. You’re allowed to ask is it a service dog, and what tasks does it perform. Tasks are not sit and lay down. For example, mine has tasks like block, cover, six, and an unspoken task “interrupt” when I’m having a panic attack. If they can’t give and tasks outside of basic obedience, then I highly doubt it’s a service dog.
I and my service dog work in the public it’s a constant all day/night long thing reminding people (please don’t touch please don’t interact with)
We have long shift I have regular customers so when this customer come in I will release my service dog and let them go socialize with those customers we know for a few minutes
Then right back on then right back on duty they go.
Gives them a bit of a break through the long days/nights
The customers know as well as my service dog that unless I release the dog
There’s no interaction
I’m glad that the ADA now has rules and regulations that will help my dog become a true service animal. I think that my dog can provide vital assistance to my brother so I’ll find a service that will help my pet become certified. This way, we can abide by the ADA rules so that he can take the pet out to the public.
I have experienced about everything and going through every demoralizing degrading insulting never ending discrimination with my Medical Alert Dog a four pd Chihuahua for the last 11 years. She is registered with the Animal Control as a Service/Medical Alert Dog but that doesn’t change the ignorance and stupidity of the people and you can never let your guard down. Always be prepared for the worst and I recommend that you register your dog with your local Animal Control. It gives you something to fight with as I am still fighting for the Rights for all of us with Service Dogs, especially the small breads who are so amazing in doing their Job.
There is no such thing as a “Service/Medical Alert Dog” under ADA FEDERAL LAW.
Be prepared to get reprimanded, YOU are just making a mess for yourself.
Can A police officer kick a service dog off the beach? and or ask for identification
No!!!! Not if You Both Are abiding ADA Standards.
Nope!
Service animals are always allowed to go anywhere you go. In any place that services the public such as the beach. Why would this cop require your id? Which you don’t have to show by the way. Have any laws been broken while on this beach with your service dog? Has your service dog broken any laws while on this beach with you? No! Then if no laws have been violated you,& your dog in the eyes of the law are golden This is when you ask this cop for their name? There badge #? What precinct are they from? The cop has to give it out. Then ask to speak with the watch commander. Then in the presence of his commanding officer. Ask.. Why if I,& my service dog have not broken any laws? Are we being asked to leave the beach? Why do you require, if no laws have been violated that I give you my ID? You know you’ve done nothing to warrant this type of behavior from this cop. Then voice your displeasure,& be demanding. But remember be calm,& use small words so they will have an clear understanding that you refuse to be treated in this manner..
This is unconstitutional. You do NOT have to show ANY documentation where none is required.
DO NOT TALK TO COPS AT ALL!!
Silver dollar city camp ground in Branson Missouri just denied my stay with my medical.support dog.
This is high illegal. It was to stay at a cabin on the campground.
I want to sue. How do I go about this.
My dog is not emotional support. She is medical support .
Indian Cove Resorts in Sandbridge VA told me to get out with my service dog other day and all I was doing was trying to pay my balance.. ?
Unfortunately the VA is one of the worst places a veteran can sometimes go with a SE. They don’t RX then; they don’t want to pay maintenance etc but, they’ll get it twisted as to if you have an ESA vs SA. The ones that are worse are the professionals that HAVE NO INTESTINAL FORTITUDE & document into your records you brought a dog to your appointment & never even ask you if it’s a service animal or yet better… You tell them it is at opening of seeing you & they state the same…..
What do you mean by medical support? There’s no such thing. Do you mean medical alert?
There is no such thing as a “Medical Support Animals” quit lying!!
Help needed please!!! I must say first off that I love dogs more than I love people. I live in a senior apartment building which includes folks 55 years and older, many of us have dogs who are under the 25 lb weight limit and our dogs behave nicely. However, there are 4 dogs who are over this limit and are declared by the owners to be service, therapy, or emotional support dogs. The owners of these dogs are not able to control them and they have been unruly, jumping on some of the residents resulting in the residents being injured. They have not been bitten but have had scratches, deeper cuts that have left scars, and bruises. One lady here has 2 of the large dogs that she claims are both service dogs. Why would a person have 2 service dogs? One of these 2 jumped on 2 different people in the last 2 days. I feel very badly for these dogs as I believe that bad dog behavior is the fault of the owner. These incidents have been reported to the manager of the apartment building and she says that there is nothing she can do about these dogs. She states that she is not allowed to ask any questions about a dog once she is told that the dog is a service, emotional support, or therapy dog. The manager told one resident who complained about being injured that she would have to call animal control herself to have animal picked up to be euthanized. This outraged us all!!! I read the paragraph above titled “Requirements for Service Dog and Handler Teams”. Other than just showing this article to the manager is there anything else I can do to make this woman understand that this is not acceptable behavior from these dog owners? Thanks.
The problem is that so many people and families are abusing this service dog label to get into establishments and hotels so they do not have to board their pets.
I am sorry when I see a guest bring their two Maltese pets in and claim they are service animals for seizurse my kids have. We have no legal foundation to challenge them and it happens to often and then as a society we begin to questions the legitimate people who need the. ADA cast a broad net for service animals without thinking about the majority who will abuse the law.
If litigation is your first line of defense because your service animal was denied, I think your angle of attack is misdirected. Instead close the loop holes first to keep the abusers who are infringing on your rights to have a service animal. Make it mandatory that all service animals have to be registered by their owner and verifiable proof of their purpose. Without that in place we should have the right to refuse your animal in our facilities.
I work in the hotel industry, and I also have a service animal. The problem with this is that there are thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people who claim their animal is a service animal when, in fact, it is not. I do not mind when I get asked if my dog is a service dog, because I know for a fact that he is and is trained to be so. So many times I get guests who states that their animal is a service dog, but it clearly is not. They are not charged a pet fee and are allowed to stay in any room. So it costs more for us to clean that room so that the next person who arrives and might be allergic doesn’t have any problems in the same room. They leave these animals in their rooms unattended, which is against the ADA rules, their animals continuously bark and annoy other guests, and we get complaints. It seems that most of the people that get mad or angry when they are asked if their animal is a service animal are doing so because they KNOW that the animal is NOT a service animal and they figure that getting angry and yelling about it will make any person asking back off and not question them anymore. Most of the people that I know that have actual service animals don’t mind being ask questions about them. It’s hard to know how to balance both things.
If I was trying to pay my balance at Indian Cove Resorts and walked in with my mini Australian Shepherd who is also a service dog.. he had his badge on and harness.. who would I report them to as stating, “I don’t care if he’s a service dog or not, he’s not allowed”
Thank you,
Lynda P
Me and my mom went into mount dora pizza with her service dog (alerts for when my mom has seizures,asthma attacks,etc) for a ladies lunch. When we asked where we would be seated a employee informed my mom that after the lunch she couldn’t bring her service dog back in with her anymore because other customers had complained about it in the past. We told them that we have her service dog’s id and papers stating what the service dog is for and has been trained for. Was the employee legally allowed to say that despite us having been in the restaurant multiple times before and only just recently after covid-19 started because other customers were complaining despite us having shown the owners and employees all legal documents for my mom’s service dog multiple times when customers have said something
Shelly, No, the employee has no right. At times like this I request to speak with the Manager and go from there. Also, by ADA law, you don’t have to show any paper work, certificate or license. When they ask for this, it is also breaking federal law.
Tell them to step up, grow some balls, and take you to court if he so dares!!
Emotional support animals are not covered in the way service animals are. Your landlord is under ZERO obligation to do anything. The only thing a landlord is obligated to do is let you have them and not charge you a pet fee. Even if the animal was an actual service dog I don’t believe they are obligated to do anything.
I’m training a Diabetic Alert Dog and she’s a year old now. She’s housebroken, obeys orders, and knows how to behave in public. Anyone know what the laws are on taking a D.A.D in training into a hospital for a check-up?
This is a Therapeutic Animal, and is NOT legally recognized by the ADA FEDERAL LAW.
I own a sandwich shop in a small town where a service dog took a shit on a heater. Smelled like shit for a week. Now I’m the shit shop. F the Ada
Emotional Support Animals are different than Service Dogs. He/She does not have to accommodate an Emotional Support Dog. Emotional Support Aninals are only given the same rights as a service dog is.
This is where you are wrong. UNDER ADA FEDERAL LAW,
ESA are not recognized as SERVICE DOGS.
If a handler claims that his/her dog is a service dog but the dog does not appeared to have any service gear or tag.. is it still against the law to ask the handler for proof of documentation that the dog is a service dog??
Absolutely YES.
Under ADA FEDERAL LAW it is illegal and intrusive.
I have a service animal that is a “non-traditional breed” for the work and services provided. He was trained by me for specific needs for disability. I was under the impression that not all service dogs have certifications, but still are service? Once people see the things he can do it becomes less of an issue, but it takes time. People can be close minded and judgmental in general when they see his size. Dr.s confirm disability and service status, letters to prove.
We are being asked for “government papers” of service or he is considered an emotional support and can be charged an additional $300 pet deposit. Applying for income based housing HUD and I want to provide accurate and truthful information. If there is a government paper to obtain, we are willing to do it, but we managed to bypass when people saw the impact of his skills. Can you advise how to proceed? What do I need to do?
Carry an ADA card with you and gracefully make them look at their own stupidity.
Where did you certify and register your animal? I have found multiple “registries” and there doesn’t seem to be anything officially “official”…
Service dog registrations are not legally required. However, some service dog owners find their rights are more respected by businesses and landlords when they bring a service dog certificate or ID along. You may find this article on registration requirements interesting – https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/registration-requirements-service-dog-certification/
THERE IS NONE!! THEY ARE ALL FAKE!
Bluegreen resort just denied my service dog. We could stay but for $300 additional cleaning fee.
Did you contact their corporate office? I would also report it to the ADA for discrimination. Then begin legal actions.
Advice:
Slap them with a FEDERAL LAWSUIT!
After being a very frequent (think 5-7 times a month) patron of Moe’s Southwestern for the past four years, my ADA registered service dog and I had a run-in with shift manager. He told us that I had to leave because no dogs were allowed in the restaurant. Both my boyfriend and I stated my dog was a service dog (wearing her vest and tags), and that she was allowed to be anywhere I was. She’s a 65lb 5 year old golden doodle. She was very well behaved, just as she always is there. The manager was rude and arrogant.
I do not want to go back. I’ve never been treated like that before….
I’m writing a letter to the general manager, I’m writing to their headquarters… I’d post on social media, but i don’t have facebook, twitter or whatever… If i could post signs on their doors I would. If I could hand out flyers i would.
They lost great patrons tonight. It’s too bad that people are so mean.
Depends on the owner’s medical condition. What the dogs cues for this condition are. So whose to say if having the dog in the stroller is right or wrong? Is this individual hurting himself or others while the dog in the stroller? Nope?Then being different should not be a crime. As we all live in the Information age then being ignorant of the ADA rules regarding service animals should be..
You have rights under FEDERAL LAW!
STAND UP FOR YOURSELF!
DON’T LET THEM BULLY YOU OUT THE DOOR…What’s wrong with you?
TURN BACK AROUND AND SLAP THEM WITH A FEDERAL LAWSUIT! SHIT,MAN- GROW SOME FUCKING BALLS AND DON’T LET THEM INTIMIDATE YOU!
Hello my landlord is trying to make me get pet insurance for a service dog they already knew about I’ve had this dog for almost 10 year and been with the landlord for about 6 is it legal for her to make me get pet insurance and threaten to evicted me if I dont
Nope!
Under the fair housing act. Your Landlord can not force you to pay a pet deposit,or uptain any pet insurance for your service animal. Nor can she try to evict you for non payment. A specially if she has known that your dog is a service animal,but shown contempt in regards to the law. Keep,& make detailed copies of every communication you’ve ever received from her on this. Over the years was there any mentioning of your service dog in the lease agreements? If so there is your answer. Sounds to me that after 6yrs of knowing that your dog is required to be there with you,& then wants extra money for your dog. That there may be an underlying story here..
Can you have multiple small pups as emotional support animals?
Or is there a cap of tye number?
Under HUD guidelines, there is no limit to how many ESAs you can have, but each ESA has to be recommended by your licensed healthcare professional to individually help you as part of your treatment. So your licensed professional must mention the exact number of ESA in the ESA letter. Airlines however will generally only allow you to fly with one ESA.
You may find this article that I’ve found on another website interesting – It discussed exactly the question of how many ESA’s you can have https://esadoctors.com/how-many-emotional-support-animals-can-you-have/
This issue can be confusing….a vest or card stating service dog status is not reliable proof of a service dog and you may only ask two questions legally…”is this a service dog?” and “what functions does your service dog do for you?” A “real” service dog owner would advise you in advance, although this is not legally required. A “real” service dog owner would probably extend the courtesy of advising you in advance of their need for their service dog, but this is legally not required. All damages and “messes” are solely the owners responsibility alone. As for your leather seats, you would have to make the call and decide if the potential for a sale outweighs the potential damage to your property. How about carrying a seat cover in your trunk and asking the client to help you adjust it when you see they have their service animal?
UNDER ADA FEDERAL LAW, You are not REQUIRED to show ANY KIND OF CERTIFICATION.
Collecting additional pet fees for Service Dog IS illegal and violates the Law in standing.
As for the PTSD THERAPUTIC DOG, the ADA FEDERAL LAW does NOT include ESAs, Emotional Support Animals or Theraputic Dogs WILL require a pet fee.
A PSD (Psychiatric Service Dog )for PTSD dog IS a service dog if it is trained to perform a certain TASK,
(WHETHER IT BE reminding individual to take meds, check out a room to see if it is safe, turning on lights in darkened rooms, applying pressure therapy to calm the individual {similar to a weighted blanket therapy, but senses\knows when the individual needs it,} or slowing, stopping, or lessening the severity of a panic attack or episode) that is directly in regards to the PTSD.
Depends on the owner’s medical condition. What the dogs cues for this condition are. So whose to say if having the dog in the stroller is right or wrong? Is this individual hurting himself or others while the dog in the stroller? Nope?Then being different should not be a crime. As we all live in the Information age then being ignorant of the ADA rules regarding service animals should be..
Question. I’m a manager at a pet friendly motel, which limits the number of pets per room to 2 with a combined weight of 150 lbs. I understand that service animals are not considered pets, therefore do not have to follow the same pet policies. I also understand that some individuals require more than one service animal. But do I have to allow a guest to have 4 large service animals stay in her motel room which is not large enough to accomodate 4 large service dogs and a human? I’m allowed to limit the number of adults allowed to stay in a 1 bed room, am I allowed to limit the number of service animals allowed to stay in a 1 bed room? Or can I require her to rent a 2 bed room due to the number of occupants (her service animals) just as I could require a person to rent a 2 bed room if they had too many people for a 1 bed room to accomodate? Their is a slight price difference in the one beds vs two beds, but a guest with 4 other adults would have to rent a 2 bed room at the slightly higher price because the 1 bed rooms are not big enough for 5 people. The one bed rooms are not big enough for 1 human and 4 dogs either.
With service animals it comes down to you must treat the individual the same as any other person who is a customer that doesn’t have a service animal …..
So with a 2 pet maximum per room it seems you would require a guest with say 3 or 4 dogs to get the 2 bed room as well, therefore it is reasonable to require that of the customer with the service animals as well.
In your case just to be certain I would reach out to local disability advocates as well as an attorney with ADA law experience & make sure, then also verify that your policy is written in such language that it is compliant to both ADA & fire/occupancy etc… standards – then post policy publicly
In response to your comment, once again I will point out that Emotional Support Animals are NOT covered under the ADA FEDERAL LAW, and are NOT WORKING SERVICE DOGS.
If you get called out because your dog is being carried or riding in a shopping cart and you state that your dog is a “Service Dog” when in reality ESA and Service Dogs perform two completely different services for their handler. I WARN YOU-be prepared to get shamed and embarrassed when you are asked to leave the premises. You can take your ESA anywhere EXCEPT IN PUBLIC VENUES, STORES, RESTRAUNTS where REAL WORKING SERVICE DOGS ARE ALLOWED. You need to leave your dog behind, otherwise if you continue to play these little mindgame with people in general, chance are likely that the outcome is not going to be in your favor,and you WILL get in serious trouble, and publicly reprimanded, embarrassed and shamed, so save yourself a FEDERAL LAWSUIT by leaving your Emotional Support Animals behind while you go shopping. This will save you a shitload of trouble you DO NOT WANT, OR EVEN NEED.
So I have 2 service dogs, one is guide trained due to I am legally blind, he knows how to forward, left , right, and stop for stairs and sidewalks that raise up. The other one is PTSD trained and knows block, watch, post, lean, and space. My husband job is relocating to another state, we went to look at a place and we got told we have to pay and extra 300.00 for pet fees, and get liability insurance on the animals for 300,000.00 due to her insurance does not cover them and I have to also provide her a doctors note on why I am needing my service dogs. My question is all this legal? I have all of this information including she will not proceed until she gets to speak with Fair housing in Kansas City, KS. in an email she just sent on Monday August 17,2020. Is there anything I can do about this situation?
What the hell does a person need with FOUR “Service Dogs??
ONE Service Dog is enough to be trained to handle multiple tasks,commands, assistance, and many other services. This is a red flag that this person lacks the regards of LEGITIMATE SERVICE DOGS.
Remind them that lying about this will land them a FEDERAL lawsuit.
Have you ever seen a blind man with four service dogs? Chances are you won’t.
HOWEVER, if you have, then he is downplaying the integrity of a Service Animal and THAT, is against ADA FEDERAL LAW AND YOU CAN GET YOURSELF IN REAL TROUBLE,REAL FAST.
Is there anywhere, specific agency, person, or something in Arkansas – to report someone with a badly-behaved, untrained, fake service dog?
The Service Dog in question, the Owner should be asked to leave the premises if they cannot control their animal. If this animal were trained for someone who is blind, in a wheelchair that animal would have been trained through Service Dogs
However, if the animal is for Emotional Support then the owner doesn’t require training. Therefore the person should be told. My dog is for Emotional Support However I would never allow him to be misbehaved. It is up to the owner to train their animal. The animal behavior reflects the owner! Apparently he needs attention 🙄 I can put my dog in a grocery cart and he won’t move. If I carry him he wraps himself right up to my neck. He never barks or acts out!
This person makes it bad for others which is NOT right.
Not true my medical alert service dog who alerted me for 11 years to an on coming seizure had no training at all. However she did exactly what a trained service animal would do
If your dog had no legitimate training in service work, it is NOT legally a service dog and you should not be calling it that.
In response to your comment, once again I will point out that Emotional Support Animals are NOT covered under the ADA FEDERAL LAW, and are NOT WORKING SERVICE DOGS.
If you get called out because your dog is being carried or riding in a shopping cart and you state that your dog is a “Service Dog” when in reality ESA and Service Dogs perform two completely different services for their handler. I WARN YOU-be prepared to get shamed and embarrassed when you are asked to leave the premises. You can take your ESA anywhere EXCEPT IN PUBLIC VENUES, STORES, RESTRAUNTS where REAL WORKING SERVICE DOGS ARE ALLOWED. You need to leave your dog behind, otherwise if you continue to play these little mindgame with people in general, chance are likely that the outcome is not going to be in your favor,and you WILL get in serious trouble, and publicly reprimanded, embarrassed and shamed, so save yourself a FEDERAL LAWSUIT by leaving your Emotional Support Animals behind while you go shopping. This will save you a shitload of trouble you DO NOT WANT, OR EVEN NEED.
Not to be rude I don’t know you but please think about this your dog walks out side
In grass poo pees
As foo other animals
Dogs cats can gets rung worms
Fleas other such things from the ground
Yet you are putting that dog in the shopping cart where food is going
It’s not allowed by any standard of service dog standard
Because it’s non hygienic
Please stop doing that
You could be causing health issues to others without even knowing it
DO NOT put your dog in a g’damn shopping cart! That cart is for FOOD and other people will use it afterwards. I personally don’t appreciate having any animal who drags its ass on the ground to wipe it put inside a FOOD cart that I may have to use later. Please, no comparisons between dogs and snotty nosed toddlers who ride in the toddler seat. It is the most inconsiderate and self-centered selfish idea that YOUR animal is somehow okay to ride in the buggy. No one expects a grocery to be sanitary, but by gum no one wants people making it worse either.
This issue can be confusing….a vest or card stating service dog status is not reliable proof of a service dog and you may only ask two questions legally…”is this a service dog?” and “what functions does your service dog do for you?” A “real” service dog owner would advise you in advance, although this is not legally required. A “real” service dog owner would probably extend the courtesy of advising you in advance of their need for their service dog, but this is legally not required. All damages and “messes” are solely the owners responsibility alone. As for your leather seats, you would have to make the call and decide if the potential for a sale outweighs the potential damage to your property. How about carrying a seat cover in your trunk and asking the client to help you adjust it when you see they have their service animal?
My granddaughter took my service animal up street approximately two house up the street and a little dog ran out of owners hands and ran barking towards my service dog it circled around service dog towards hind legs and service dog bites and shakes him the dog startled my service animal running into public sidewalk without leash to do so. The owner neglected to take her pet in and dies 4days later.the owner let the dog lie . Her neglect of treatment caused the death.My dog acted caccirding The pet owner then calls police who only take statement of her side and come to declare my dog as dangerous and that it was unprovoked.my service dog has been in custody over 10days and is set to be destroyed because of this insident. I don’t have money for what they are asking.What is fair about this if the same Officer took a report of my daughter being bit by a dog and nothing was done .Only after I brought it up and complained have they begin to see what happened. Dog still at larch. The discrimination and violations they have done when it come to me has carried over to my children and sevice animal. Please anyone help my dog isn’t coolant the sill haven’t question my family . Help not private
I’m a real estate agent. I want to stay out of trouble. People call me all the time and say they’d like to see 5 or 6 homes. I often meet the client for the very first time at one of the houses I’m showing. If the client shows up with a service dog, does their right to have a service dog, trump the right of the private home owners to say whether an animal walks through their house? Who’s responsibility would it be to clean up any messes the service dog may make?
I can guarantee a lot of home owners don’t want a dog in their house. Serious question, who would be responsible for any messes?
I have had a person bring their little lap dog on a home tour and it peed on the carpet. I was the one who ended up cleaning it and getting my butt chewed by the home owner. I let another person bring their dog in my car because they were looking at $2 Milllion dollar homes and it scratched up my leather seats. I love animals, but know that sometimes they make messes.
In a perfect world the buyer with the service animal would have told me before we met that they were bringing the service dog and I would have had time to call each owner and ask if they’d mind a dog in their house, but in the real world I don’t have 15 to 20 minutes for that conversation at each of the 5 to 10 homes I show, and usually none of these listings are my sellers and it could be very difficult to track down the list agent and the list agents home sellers to ask permission.
I asked the same question on a Realtor forum with over 1000 replies and it was split about 50/50 on the answers. Half said “It’s the law” and the other half said “It’s up to the home owner” What’s the right answer?
Mike,
ADA laws concerning service dogs cover *PUBLIC establishments*. Private home owners DO have the right to refuse the presence of a service dog. Service dogs are required to remain under the control of their handler. Therefore, something such as a bathroom accident is then the responsibility of the handler/owner. Being a service dog does not cancel out financial or other responsibilities due to damages caused by the animal.
Also, if your vehicle is your private vehicle and not a company car, you also have the right to deny entry and require the handler to provide their own transportation.
The handler may not appreciate being banned from a specific home/vehicle, but these are not public establishments. The private owner has the right to deny the dog entry, and the right to hold the handler/owner responsible for any damages if entry is allowed.
Not necessarily service dogs but ANY animal that is not a wild animal is the full responsibility of the handler of that animal no matter what it does. This includes the animal doing a poo on the floor.. it is ALWAYS the owner’s responsibility to clean it up, service animal or otherwise
Halito! Chim Achvckma?
My name is Ms Eddie Spottedfeather
I am a Disabled Native American Transgender (Two Spirit/Trans) Oklahoma Choctaw (Chahta Okla)
District 9, Tribal ID CN118686
●In my own experience of training a Legitimate Service Dog, I will help you understand and clearly recognize a legitimate Service Dog.
*Please be mindful and recognize the following through observation in human behavior and Service Dog interaction.
Training a Service Animal for the first time is challenging and rewarding and fun for the both of Handler and the Service Dog in Training. There becomes a bond of loyalty, trust, and respect and understanding.
This has helped me from a bond closer to “Bucky”, as he is in the beginning stages of his 4-6 years of intense training, exercises, drills, nighttime operations, and many other important aspects of the work that he is currently in training for.
I adopted him back in September at my sister’s house on the Navajo Rez.(Crownpoint District, Thoreau Chapter)
Before the first signs of the Winter, I have studied extensively about how to train my Service Dog, “Bucky”. I have concluded that I was in need of a Service Animal to help me with certain tasks that I am struggling with, due to a TBI, Ataxia, Memory Impairment including preexisting medical conditions. So, to settle the matter once and for all, Keep a lookout for the following observations,
I guarantee you that by gut instinct, you will already know beforehand when you happen to meet a Legitimate Service Animal.
*1. A REAL Service Animal would let the Handler know beforehand, and stay alert, ready and stride alongside the Handler at ALL times. They are patient, attentive, quiet and yes, TRAINED.
*2. They will NOT draw any attention whatsoever, by loud barking, lunging at random people or other animals, whining, pulling or braking. Training your Service Dog for the first couple of weeks is a real struggle, but if you are stern, loving, patient, attentive, and you let the dog learn, you will aim to get the most out of your Service Dog in Training.
*2. A Service Animals are TRAINED to ASSIST AND OBEY the Handler regardless of any kind of loud noise or distraction.
The dogs eyes should be continually looking at the Handler awaiting the next command and letting the Handler know that he is attentive and ready.
Service Dogs DO NOT LIE DOWN WHILE WORKING. THEY KNOW BETTER THAN THIS.
DO NOT let children run up and yell and or touch them at any time. This is very disturbing to the Service Dog.( watch the tail and the backing up in front of the Handler)
They will retaliate and bark loud ONCE as a way of saying “stay away from me, I’m working.” THIS is another signal that the dog is warning the Handler that their personal space has been overstepped.
*3. I like to call this one, “Out Of Sight, Out of Mind”. Basically, this means that a REAL legitimate Service Dog does not sniff around and becomes a nuisance to the general public. They are trained to WORK! The animal is trained to recognize certain voice, sounds, cues, and visual commands from ONLY the Handler. They will automatically know that they are to go beside, or under the Handlers seat, and STAY there until they are signaled or cued that it’s time to work again.
During this time the animal is trained to not beg for food, bark, whine,or growl at people or other animals in ANY public establishments AT ANY TIME! This is also includes including modes of public transportation where this applies as well.
*4. “FOUR ON THE FLOOR”
Service Dogs are trained to be alongside their Handlers ALERT AND ATTENTIVE ON THE FLOOR AT ALL TIMES with the ability to handle certain situations that the Handler may need help with.
They do NOT belong in shopping carts, totes bags, purses, or any other mode of “CUTE PUPPY TRANSPORT”. This often leads to miscommunication, argument of legal statutes, or lack of understanding, or complete disregard to the legitimacy of a REAL SERVICE DOG.
This is a sign that this is clearly a FAKE SERVICE DOG.
*You have EVERY RIGHT as a disabled individual to publicly speak up and call them out on this and legally have the animal INCLUDING the owner of such animal removed from the premises, fined, and arrested for Impersonation and Abuse of the integrity of a REAL LEGITIMATE, WELL MANNERED AND WELL BEHAVED, AND CARED FOR SERVICE ANIMAL.
(Please correct me if I’m wrong)
*This bill is yet to be introduced into Congress by the Senate to enforce legitimacy and, or federal recognition for a legislative process to enact a U.S. FEDERAL SERVICE ANIMAL CERTIFICATION AUTHORITY
*5. In general, people that “play disabled”, or even try to legitimize their fake disabilities, and/ or fake service dogs to get “free passes”, absolutely disgusts me, and yes it IS ILLEGAL UNDER ADA FEDERAL LAW.
People like these, should be aware that they can get themselves in serious trouble and face penalties, fines, and or jail time for doing this. It’s like saying that you are a Military Veteran, and you parade yourself around in a fake uniform looking to gain public favoritism and recognition-it’s called Stolen Valor.
That is, until your fun at gaining personal attention just to “look important” for no apparent reason at all, turns sour and REAL embarrassing, real fast, when a REAL VETERAN with PTSD, who has actually been in the military and who has actually seen, experienced the terrifying reality of constant wars overseas call you out as a fake or a poser. You might as well just hide yourself under a rock in PUBLIC humiliation, embarrassment and shame.
In my brutally honest opinion, Under Federal law, this SHOULD BE ENFORCED AND MONITORED BY THE ADA-
IMAGINE how many people would get busted by lying, downplaying the legitimacy of a REAL Service Animal.
Yakoke! (Thank You)
Ms. Eddie Spottedfeather
[femme pronouns preferred, she/her]
Two-Spirit/Native Trans Elder, AIM Supporter, Activist, Independent, Performer, Former Disabled Sex Worker,
“I do not fear, my enemies in the darkness, yet, they fear and flee when they see truth and honor strip their cowardly disguises”.
Oklahoma Choctaw, Tribal ID 118686
District 9, Eastern Oklahoma Division Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
I agree with almost all of what your saying, but I wanted to add that my service dog is trained to lay down with his head down, also to circle me if people are getting to close, to side behind me to watch for people getting to close, and to look around, my service dog is a multi purpose service dog. Because of his task people will comment in stores like last Saturday, oh he must be in training or he’s not a real service dog, and they were distracting my service dog, and he was alerting me over and over, because he could recognize that an attack was coming on, so I had to go sit down, and he preform his task. I just wanted to speak up, because service dogs are also for ptsd and their jobs may look like they are not trained, but they may be doing exactly what they are trained to do.
Look into that 4 on the floor rule, based on my research as I am a 100% disabled veteran, ADA states that as long as the handler has control of the service dog and it can perform is task it’s good to go. By you saying “cute puppy transport” is very disrespectful to me seeing as my service dog is a 5 lb chihuahua and serves my disabilities best as close to my chest as possible. Does he not get the same rights as a big service animal? By your logic he doesn’t.. I also like to point out the fact that mentality like that is the exact reason I was denied access to a gas station and told I had to leave the greyhound station (both in Little Rock Arkansas) because she pulled the excuse that he wasn’t providing me a service if he wasn’t on the ground leased up. He is trained to watch for ppl coming into our space, recognize when my PTSD is activating, and calm me down by pressing the top of his head to my throughly. Now again by your 4 on the floor logic, he would be unable to provide that to me seeing as I’m 6 ft talk and he is about 6 inches tall. So please be careful about trying to call out other service dog handlers because you are ultimately infringing on my right per ADA.
Greetings,
Interesting comments. If I may point out, your comment…
(*4. “FOUR ON THE FLOOR”
Service Dogs are trained to be alongside their Handlers ALERT AND ATTENTIVE ON THE FLOOR AT ALL TIMES with the ability to handle certain situations that the Handler may need help with.
They do NOT belong in shopping carts, totes bags, purses, or any other mode of “CUTE PUPPY TRANSPORT”. This often leads to miscommunication, argument of legal statutes, or lack of understanding, or complete disregard to the legitimacy of a REAL SERVICE DOG.
This is a sign that this is clearly a FAKE SERVICE DOG.)
… is INCORRECT.
The following information is from ADA gov website.
MISCELLANEOUS
Q31. Are stores required to allow service animals to be placed in a shopping cart?
A. Generally, the dog must stay on the floor, or the person must carry the dog. For example, if a person with diabetes has a glucose alert dog, he may carry the dog in a chest pack so it can be close to his face to allow the dog to smell his breath to alert him of a change in glucose levels.
It clearly states “For example, if a person with diabetes has a glucose alert dog, he MAY CARRY the dog in a chest pack so it can be close to his face to allow the dog to smell his breath to alert him of a change in glucose levels.
In my case, my service dog is trained to recognize a PTSD before I even realize I’m slipping into an episode and she will lick my face and go crazy working to bring me back to living in the moment. At which she is an expert.
Many of your comments are opinions. Opinions are not right or wrong.
Levi
Im a handler of a service dog. Having my dog has given me the ability to work
It is very true that you see so many fake service dogs and it’s a shame
They make our job harder as ever time each one of those fake ones decides to bark, lunge at my serve dog every one around jumps waiting to see what mine will do. Being mine is a trained service dog they remain in their position unmoved. Only once have I had them react and that was due to part of their training the fake service dog lunged at me once again it only took a sound from me to put my dog back into their position
People need to understand that just because they want to take their dogs with them
They need to stop messing around those of us that truly need these dogs
Don’t need people making life even harder for us
Please
Please
Please
Stop
Playing games with our lives
Ms. Eddie you have some good points but you miss something each service dog or service miniature horse isn’t the same. There are different disabilities and different techniques that must be employ for the person. Some dogs bark as a warning to their handlers . Also depending on the need as to what they do. They can whine as a warning to. you gave general rules that are a good suggestion but you also made some assumptions. There are a lot of disabilities that are unseen called invisible disabilities. It is a very good rule to ask if you can pet a service dog because a dog can be petted and still does it job but at times the service dog is focus on its handler and may not be able to be petted. just think each kid that is in school has a different style of expressing themselves. So does service dogs and miniature horses. Four on the floor sounds wonderful but at the same time it isn’t a requirement. In training the dog trains you not the other way around. They know when something is wrong and will alert you one way or another. You may think that whining is wrong but it may be the dog signal to you and barking is important sometimes.
Just ask for a $500 deposit for any damages and welcome them
You shouldn’t be bullied but use your head
It’s strictly says above, there are to be no deposit charges to an owner of a service animal. However, if the dog causes damage, then the owner is responsible. A deposit is not aloud. Especially to just view a home. Honestly, if I were the agent I would have required a reschedule of viewing due to them not informing anyone ahead of time, or asking the question from the beginning of the individual viewing the home.
Is there anyway you can just ask if the individuals viewing the home has a service animal? That way you prepare yourself for what to expect. If they still don’t tell you, inform them that you will need to reschedule to inform the home owners of the need of accommodations. This gives the home owners the chance to put down something to protect their floors from any possible damages. Also inform them that if the dog causes any damages to the home they are responsible for the costs. This releases you from any legal responsibility. Put it into a form you can hand them and have it in your office, (obviously wouldn’t work with some of the disabilities but you can explain to them your policies and why. You are well within your right to require such agreement from them before moving forward. It does not prevent them from entering the home, nor are you breaking any laws. It’s their choice if they want to walk away or not. I understand that is the opposite of what you want as a realtor, but it’s better for you to set boundaries and relieve yourself of any legal responsibility than for you to send up paying a hefty fee for damages to someone’s home or your car that wasn’t your fault. Whenever it is in debate of who the responsible party is, research it (as you did), and then set up policies that include the rights of both parties involved.
Nowadays you never know what kind of legal action can be taken against you regardless of the situation. Better safe than sorry. Hope this helps.
Excuse the typos, I pressed send before being able to edit them.
Service dogs are not allowed to pee and poop anywhere. My hunch is that it was not a real service dog. A service dog is always working, should not be distracted by people or animals. it would be helpful if there was a standard ” service dog” ID that these dogs wear. All people with real service dogs know the expectations if their animal.
Some State and local laws also define service animal more broadly than the ADA does. Information about such laws can be obtained from the relevant State attorney general s office.
I was not allowed access with my service dog in a laundry mat. Is that against the law can I file a lawsuit?
Because of the owners actions I have had an episode.
My dog had to get in my car and while desperate I had an attack.
Do I need a diagnosis from a doctor/mental health professional to have a service dog?
There is no paperwork required by law, but if you feel more comfortable do seek a conversation with your therapist to evaluate your need for a service dog. Your therapist can help you figure out what tasks your service dog should fulfill in order to assist you the best. You may find this article on how to get a service dog interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-get-a-service-dog/
I had a dog that is ada sertified bite my dog she was not on a leash and came in my yard and bit my dog how do I turn them in
My service dog is half pit bull and half bull mastive the past Saturday we had to stay at a hotel because our power and water was out at our house the hotel denied me a room because of my dog I told them he was a service dog but they still wouldn’t then I told them he helps me with my anxiety but they didn’t believe me and keep telling me he couldn’t come in, they called the cops and the cops showed up saying the same thing he’s not allowed in the building (the cop was a K-9 unit) I figure he would understand but he still told me no he’s not allowed. Well I started to leave but the cop wouldn’t let me after being there for 20 minutes the cop arrested me and sent me to jail because I wanted following his orders my dog was sent to the pound I was locked up for 3 days when I got out I went to the pound to get my dog out and they told me he wasn’t there I called the police station just to find out the guy that arrested me kept my dog at his house with him because he said ( he didn’t fell the dog was in safe hands with me) I got my dog back today 6 days after I got out of jail I just wanted to know what I can do next to if something like that happens again
Theirs a special number for the ada that u can call in those situations and they will come and stratton everything out.
There is A special number you can call wich is a ada number that should straight everything out.
While I cannot explain why you were arrested or why they held onto your dog for several days, I can tell you why there was a problem in the first place. A dog that helps you with you anxiety is not actually a service dog. What you have is called an emotional support dog. These have much more restrictions on what is and isn’t allowed with them, compared to proper service dogs.
You are a liar, sir.
I need help so reaching out hopefully for some answers. I am being treated like I have no options. My dr thinks a service animal could be a big help to me. I’m legally blind. I’m being treated for diabetes, epilepsy , bipolar disorder, blood pressure monitoring is a must. I could keep on for days. I have agoraphobia and I’m afraid to go outside alone. My quality of life is a joke. When I first asked about being able to have a service dog it was oh yeah sure. Two days later I was handed a q and a asking me everything but my shoe size. The irony here is housing for the elderly or disabled. Can you believe they asked me if I have a disability? It gets worse at first I was told they needed a note from my Dr. not a they changed it to they won’t acknowledge a prescription . It has to be a letter written on letter head signed by the Dr. It must be hand written closed with a signature. It has to show what medicines I’m taking and for what. Moving forward. Then it gets worse I asked for a copy of the paperwork for a service dog. They blew me off. Four days later a missive came out about service animals and having them. It basically said our way or the highway. With a note saying if we didn’t sign the document we would lose our housing. That smacks of coercion to me. Or a bully threat. We’ll take your apartment if you don’t stay in line. Can you tell I don’t like threats? Especially when they aren’t legal. Soooooooo how do I handle this? It’s getting worse everyday. Like I said I need help.
There is A special number you can call wich is a ada number that should straight everything out.
Can a house insurance company deny insurance if a Service dog, Emotional Support or Comfort dog live in the house? Especially if a German Shepherd pure breed? Thank you
My condo association is doing nothing about a renter’s guest who bring a 150 lbs .Cane Corsico dog to our bldg. for visits with the renter. The condo has a pet rule of no dogs over 25lbs. Owners are up in arms as am i but the association is saying they will be sued if they do not allowed this guest to come with their dog. This is a private residence, not a public domain so how can a person who does not even live or own here sue a private residence? Can someone offer any advice? . I am going to contact an attorney. This breed is dangerous.
Is the dog under control by it’s owner at all times? There’s no breed/ weight restrictions for service dogs. You can’t deny the owner admittance because the dog isn’t classified as a pet. It’s classified as a medical necessity/ tool. Unless the dog is vicious, relieving itself in unauthorized areas, or damaging property then anywhere the owner goes so does the dog. You never really know what could happen and that’s why service dogs are allowed EVERYWHERE except operating rooms and other obvious sterile spaces. The agency can be sued for not allowing him because it’s a violation of the owner’s civil rights per the ADA (American’s with Disabilities Act). The owner would ultimately win and have a lawsuit that’s cut and dry costing them hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Sounds to me like you are discriminating over a service animal. That condo rule goes out the window when dealing with a service animal. Have a heart for the person who requires the service dog or GTFOI.
Can someone who drive and go to work are allowed to have a service dog
Yes, they are definitely allowed! Have you ever seen someone in a wheelchair have the ability to work?! They might need the dog to open doors for them because members of the public are too rude and selfish to hold the door open… Also the dog might pick up things that were dropped. Just because we have disabilities it doesn’t mean that our lives end. 🙄🙄
I’m a type-ń1 diabetic, with limited mobility, a service dog AND i have a job. Sometimes i wonder about people
Am i required to tell medical staff what medical condition my dog alerts to
No, that is not required. By law, others may only ask two questions regarding your service dog: 1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Any question regarding your disability, or requesting a demo is not allowed. You may find this article on how to verify a service dog interesting: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-verify-a-service-dog/
Hello,
I do not understand if an individual has a need for a service dog, why they don’t have to at least show proof they are registered with the ADA. If they need the dog they do not have to state what the dog performs, that’s not an issue. They should have to at least carry and show a valid ADA license. There are to many people taking advantage and just saying they are service dogs. This is one part of the law I do Not agree with.
I just bought an expensive full blooded German Shepard puppy I’m training and I agree. I am currently buying an ADA Vest with patches puppy in training patches complete with ADA card.
Also I have no intention to take my dog in restaurants or stores until an ADA trainer and I complete training.
Hell I gave not one but 2 medical prescriptions for a Service Dog to my landlords complete with what’s wrong with me. She will be trained for Mobility Training after we go through AKC trainings.
The use of Emotional Support Dogs as a scam is criminal and dogs a grave disservice to our Veterans and to our fellow Americans who suffer such things like PTSD.
I agree with you, too many people are taking advantage of claiming they have an emotional support or service dog just to have a particular breed that ordinarily would not be permitted to live in an over
55 Mobile Home Park with a weight limit of 45lbs. Revision of this law by the ADA is necessary. I currently live in an over 55 Park in NY and we now have Pitbulls, Chow, Cane Corso , Retrievers, all well over
45 lbs living here as a guise of emotional/service dog. Real estate people are now telling people to make their animal emotional/service just so they can come in. Also, there are websites that for $100
will give you what looks like a “legitimate “ dog vest, paperwork signed by a medical professional to aid in this practice. Something desperately needs to be changed as it is creating a dangerous environment
especially when a dog weighs more than the person trying to walk it. Where do we begin so these laws can be altered?
My mother is buying a mobile home in a 55 and older park. The owner of the park won’t let her service dog in because he says it private property. Does anyone know if he can do this? I’ve been calling all over and keep getting recordings. Help!
Because the ADA doesn’t register service dogs itself, nor does it require that they be registered or certified at all — no paperwork, vest, tag, or other ‘proof’ is required.
What about the rights of people that don’t like to eat around a animal. The only time I would accept a service dog is if someone is totally blind. Also, a lot of people take advantage of the rules just to have their animal with them at all times, because they treat the animal like a human, part of the family. This is not fair to customers that are comfortable with being around animals. The service animals should be required to have a badge to prove they are early a service animal and not just a pet.
First of all blindness isn’t the only disability.
There’s disabilities like mine that aren’t visible,such as ptsd,bi polar…etc.
Lame excuses such as people having a problem with dogs in restaurants,allergies & fear of dogs are not legitimate reasons to discriminate against someone with a service dog.
To a lot of people such as myself dogs are FAMILY, and in most cases can be trusted more than so called family.
Last but not least genius badges and jackets doesn’t prove anything.
The ADA doesn’t even recognize jackets because they’re too easy to order and put on fake service dogs.
Before you discriminate know the full details about what you’re speaking on.
😠😠😠😠😠
Also…..
Proper grammar and spelling are also useful.
😎🐶
😉👅😃😛😃😛😝😜😆😛
Michael, Since you call out proper grammar and spelling i’d like to help you:
“There’s disabilities” Mis-match in number – perhaps you meant “There are disabilities”
“restaurants,allergies & fear” Add space after comma. Use “, and” rather than ampersand. Yes, that’s an Oxford comma.
What are “genius badges”? Since you did not include commas the “genius” is an adjective on “badges”. Did you intend vocative case (direct address)?
“about what you’re speaking on” would usually be marked as awkward style.
I have never heard of a “ service animal “ having anxiety, it completely defeats the purpose.
Can my service dog be denied grooming or having her nails cut or anal glands expressed due to the fact that one of the employees at the establishment has personal issues with the owner of the service animal. my service dog has been going to this same establishment for years now and feels comfortable with the staff there as opposed to taking her to the veterinarians office where she has extreme anxiety due to the way that an examination was performed and now has to be sedated at times to allow the vet to perform certain tasks.
secondly, I was somewhat recently at a hotel and upon check-in I stated that I had my service dog with me to which the desk person asked me what a service animal was full or in addition to then asking me if I was blind. What can I do about that situation ?
This is a bs law since it is too easy lie about it. Understand that disabilities are confidential and should never need to say their disability. The requirement for animal to to be a service dog is nothing but sign up. Well if some has an esa animal. Welp let me just register it as a service dog and no one can even ask me anything. This law needs to fixed that the animal has been trained. Heck I don’t even need to register on the site. I just need to say it’s a service animal and no one can ask me relevant about it.
There is a huge issue with lies on this now that needs to be addressed.
For all animals of any kind. Start saying your 10 foot salt water gator is a service animal. No one can do anything. If you own an animal. Just call it a service animal as there is no due diligence. So we can all lie and legally not held accountable as there is no way to look into.
Now the 2 limited questions:
Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
Yes, it’s an esa dog but registered as a service dog. So you can’t do anything about it.
What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
I taught it to sit.
Well it doesn’t need a special cert of training completion. So entertainment value can be what the animal is there. Lifts spirits and morality when it listens. But since limited question and can’t go into details you’re out of luck.
This article also says you are able to kill people legally with severe allergic reactions to a particular animal as it is illegal to ask them to leave.
This law is a joke
Dear Anne,
As an Assistant Manager at a hotel there are only 2 questions we are legally allowed to ask when a guest says they have a service animal and they are
What services does the animal perform? What type of service animal? We cannot ask for any type of ID for the service animal. The person who asked if you were blind was very rude in asking that question, I am sorry you had to go through that situation, for future references if that ever happens again I would suggest to speak with management and let them know what happened. If a front desk agent doesn’t know what a service animal is then they weren’t trained properly.
Sincerely,
Tammi
Service dogs do not require a “badge” or any other kind of registration. however a lot of service dog handlers use vests that clearly state “service dog”. If your afraid of fake service dogs ask them ” is that a service dog?” and “what task does it perform?” you can only ask these 2 questions BY LAW. If other people are uncomfortable with the service dog oh well, you CANNOT move the service dog or their handler because of it, if the other person asks to be moved then fine but you cannot discriminate against service dogs if the handlers disability is not visible (i.e. your comment about only allowing blind people with service dogs) or if someone else is uncomfortable with the service dog.
My son is physically disable, along with a TBI. I have a disability, although not seen. I was denied access to his building because of my service dog. This apartment building is three stories tall and houses those on HUD, along with elderly.
The property manager told me the dog wasn’t even allowed on the property. Later in the afternoon she taped a memorandum on his door concerning animals allowed on the property. And to beat all; much later in the day confronted him about his kitten and the papers on the kitten.
Long story short, can she deny me excess to his apartment with my service dog?
Thank you!
NO SHE CAN NOT DENY YOU ….
According to the ads no you are allowed . Problem is who fo you go to to help you enforce your rights.i have yet to find anyone willing to take my many of and many of such cases I am sorry but I’d find somewhere else to stay.
No she cannot! Rebecca is 100% correct!!
More times than not astablishments have be harassing me with THEIR rules questioning me till I’m in tears.i don’t like confritations or suggestions that I am being less than honest .with this being said last night my daughter was admitted to the hospital and because of Zoe made me walk back to me car for a leash after I told she is off leash service dog and Zoe is the most well behaved well mannered and makes all happy.
Can clinics mandate a service dog have vaccination records filed prior to entry, or require the service dog have a bath within 24 hours prior to entry, and require it’s nails be clipped and filed prior to entry?
I am chairman of a rodeo association, the entrance is clearly marked no dogs allowed, a person with a dog tried to enter aand one of my volunteers stopped them and told them that the dog was not allowed, the person with the dog said that it was their service animal but offered no proof. The volunteer refused entrance to the rodeo for the person. and now they are threating a law suit. What could happen in this instance.
Well, obviously they broke ADA guidelines for service animals as you can’t require documentation of a service animals status. I’d think that your volunteer should have been told that before being at the gate where the public came in. I’d try to talk to them and see if maybe they wouldn’t put together a training for your volunteers.
I have a question. If I am training a service dog for my son with autism do I have to show proof to my landlady. My son does not live with me right now. I was training the dog my home once the dog is trained I will be transitioning the dog to my son. My question is am I allowed to train this dog my house. I already have two dogs I’m allowed. But the service dog is an extra dog. not my dog it will be turned over to my son once he is trained. I have a paper from the Mobility service dog nonprofit organization and I got the dog from and gives me permission to train it. But I want to make sure that paper is legal enough for my landlady
You do not need any specific paperwork for a service dog. Your landlord can ask you two questions: 1. Is the dog required due to a disability and 2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
I was harassed by a manager at a local restaurant on 10/1/2021. He insisted on knowing EXACTLY what my service dog did for me in case of an emergency. I suggested that in case of an emergency he call 911 like any other patron. He refused me entrance for my reservation, until I told him EXACTLY what my dog did for me. My dog is a fully trained service dog and behaved better than children seated in the same dining room we were in. My issue is that when I told the manager that she was a PTSD trained dog, it was not sufficient. I was embarrassed and humiliated to have to describe what she does in the event of a panic attack due to my PTSD. I do not know how to provide that information without being forced to disclose my disability. I was eventually permitted admittance but was so upset I could not enjoy my meal and the waitstaff rushed me and my dinner guest, and my dinner partner wondered if “we were being kissed up to or rushed out” (his words, not mine). I am still upset about it days later. I do not wish this type of treatment on any disabled person.
My lawyer would have been sending a letter to this establishment and the city council would hear about it. Your disability it a private matter, not some idiots power play.
I have an ESA and a medical service animal. The crazy man living next door to me in a condominium environment never liked people talking outside on the walkways. So when it’s exercise/playtime for the dogs ( during normal waking hours) he gets insane over their barking during their play. So much so, that he has made numerous complaints about them. Yes they also bark whenever people pass my door, deliver packages or company arrives. As I said- all during waking hours (10am- 9 pm.
Dogs play. They also alert. I’m happy they do, as I live alone.
How can I defend against these unrealistic complaints?
We suggest having a friendly discussion with your neighbor about it, but if that’s not possible you may want to report the incident to your condo association or building manager.
I am traveling to a foreign country (French Polynesia) from the United States. As part of the Import Permit requirements, they are asking for, “a certificate attesting to the quality of service dog training issued by an approved training establishment”. Given our statutes and as you note above, “Service animals do not need to be certified or registered to qualify as service animals.” and the “ADA service dog rules do not require that service dog owners use a professional trainer.” Any idea how I can comply with this country’s request? I have sent them the US statutes, but they are not budging off their request. I do have her registered and have a registration certificate and ID card already and sent them a list of her skills and training – not good enough. Any ideas would be appreciated. Karen
Unfortunately this is an international requirement we’re not familiar with. You certainly don’t need any type of certificate for purposes of the ADA. We wish you the best of luck.
I would inquire with the consulate of the country you are planning to visit.
Have a safe & wonderful time!
I am a small business owner of a small space to-go restaurant in California. We have placards on our door communicating that only service animals are allowed in our establishment and adhere to all ADA and state regulations for all animals entering our premise. If any guest tries to enter with a dog, we kindly offer, “Hi, we apologize but we cannot have the dog [animal] inside.” If the customer makes the claim of their animal being a service animal, we kindly inquire “what service does your animal provide or what service is your animal trained for”? and then continue to allow all service animals to remain in our establishment to accompany the individual. We had a recent incident where a guest entered our establishment with a dog riding on the undercarriage of a stroller. We offered, “we are happy to offer you service at the door since you have a dog” and the customer happily obliged, making no claim that the dog was a service animal. Once he received his order, he then made the claim that we denied him entrance into our shop because of his service dog. It was then established that the animal was intended to assist his to his infant child.
Per covid, we maintain a strict capacity limit due to our less than 80 sq ft interior space accessible to customers. We attempt to accommodate all customers in all capacities and often take orders for our customers outside – in the event of large groups or individuals without masks. We don’t, at any point, deny service, we just change the venue upon which we service each customer. However, we have never asked a customer with a service animal to move/leave/be assisted in any space other than where they would like service. We do our best to follow all appropriate guidelines to best serve and protect individuals in need of service animals, though I do feel bad that we misinterpreted the situation, but are we at fault? Did we violate his rights if he did not make the claim of his service animal up front? I appreciate any feedback.
It seems that you take care to consider service animal rules and are considerate of those that need the assistance of a working dog. Under ADA rules, you can only verify a service dog by asking two questions: 1. Is the service dog required because of a disability? and 2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? If the person cannot answer those two questions or ignores them, you can’t reasonably know that they have a service animal.
Thank you for you time and your response. It’s reassuring to hear that even in our extreme due diligence where mistakes or miscommunications can happen, that there is a reasonable expectation for both parties to communicate clearly.
What about active construction sites where safety issues exist because of pits, holes, large equipment, electrical service installation, etc.
Also, there would be liability on jobsites if the dog were to bite someone or cause someone to injure themselves through distraction from dangerous work circumstances.
Can I require that the dog be in a kennel in a shaded area while his handler is plumbing, driving heavy equipment? A dog left in a hot car or staked out on a construction site is cruel and irresponsible and in this part of the country it is animal cruelty will get you put in jail; no questions asked. That can’t be good for anyone’s anxiety.
Service dogs may be limited in areas where their presence might pose a safety or health hazard for the handler, dog or others on the site. Service dog handlers can also be liable for any damage or harm their animals may cause while out in public.
Does a service dog have to be spayed or neutered
The ADA is silent on whether a service dog has to be spayed or neutered.
I need to get my support animal a new ID
If you have an ESA letter for your emotional support animal you can obtain an ID card here: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/emotional-support-animal-id/
So,actually there’s no way to tell when someone has a fake service dog in an establishment? As we all know there’s a cottage industry providing service vests and leashes to anyone who wants them. If someone being deceptive about their fake service dog and doesn’t have to produce a certificate, then they are certainly going to lie about the 2 questions a business owner or policeman is allowed to ask.
Lying about a service dog can be punishable by law in many jurisdictions, so unethical individuals who claim to have service dogs that really aren’t have legal risk in making false claims.
The problem with this, however, is that there is no way for us to actually be able to tell if they’re false claims or not. How is a police officer or business owner supposed to be able to tell if the dog isn’t a true service dog if they aren’t allowed to ask to see the ID. There is absolutely nothing stopping me from taking my dog into a grocery store right now and telling them that my pet is a service animal. Is it punishable by law? Sure. But there’s no true way for anyone to be able to tell. The fact that people with service animals don’t have to show certification or identification is ridiculous and negligent.
This is certainly a controversial issue with valid points on both sides. An official certification/identification system could help deter fake service dog owners, but many service dog owners and disability organizations would argue such a system would create additional costs/burdens on the disabled due to a few bad apples. Some states have passed laws making it illegal to fake having a service dog which may help curb the problem.
We’re staying at Embassy Suites Downtown Amarillo, Tx. In My service dog was sitting on the floor between my spouse and me at the bar. In the middle of our cocktail, we were asked to leave and sit somewhere else. They told us my service dog is not allowed to be at the bar stools, but could sit at a table right behind us. My dog was calmly sitting at my feet, but let out a quite “whoof” when he saw another dog, which will do occasionally as an alert another animal is near. It was not loud, and was quiet as soon as we told him the code word.
I’d like an explanation why we were forced to move in the middle of a cocktail and told to move to a bar table literally four feet away. I was embarrassed and angry. So we closed our tab and went to our room instead of having relaxing time after a long trip
I was recently demanded to leave a eating/drinking establishment. The owner was hollering obscenities and stated that “under no f’ing circumstances were dogs allowed “. We didn’t want to be involved in the situation and we left. We have frequented this establishment many times and had never been told to leave. Our dogs credentials have been shown and proven to the employees before. What recourse do I have?
You should not have to show any “credentials” to be accommodated for a service dog. We suggest having a discussion with the owners/managers and pointing them to ADA rules concerning service dogs in public establishments.
Does a landlord to ask for documents on a service dog
You do not need any form of documentation to prove that you have a service dog.
Why wouldn’t it be simpler to require ID on the dog that certifies it a true service dog — in order to ferret out the imposters in public? In order to drive a car we are all required to have our license on us. Service dogs could be identified in this way visually and imposters would not be able to fool us?
Also, an informational card or small pamphlet to hand out to people who attempt to engage with a service dog teaching those uninformed about protocols with these working dogs seems like a good idea as well– a public service ad campaign to broadly educate Ametica on the facts about service dogs ( and the fakes).
That would cost taxpayers millions of $$. Who would be in charge of issuing the certification and who would regulate the certifications? Who pays the millions in lawsuits when whatever entity that issues the certification discriminates against someone by not issuing them a certification at some point? Just a lot more hassle to certify than not to certify…
That would cost taxpayers millions of $$. Answer: Isn’t this what taxpayer $$$ are for? Who would be in charge of issuing the certification and who would regulate the certifications? Answer: The same people why certified the animal in the first place would be in charge of issuing the certificate! The local government or even animal control would regulate! Who pays the millions in lawsuits when whatever entity that issues the certification discriminates against someone by not issuing them a certification at some point? Answer: Why would this happen if the animal passed it’s training for becoming a service animal? Just a lot more hassle to certify than not to certify…Answer: I disagree. Who is going to pay the lawsuits & vet bills when someone gets bit by an animal that has been improperly passed off as a service animal? If a 3rd party is not allowed to properly identify an animal as a service animal, then we are all vulnerable & open to scammers & potentially harmful animals.
How would you feel if everytime you were driving, some random person asked to see your drivers license? I mean how do I know that you are driving legally? There are many reasons why I do not want to put a vest on my dog, why the hell should I have to prove to you what I have done to make sure my dog is what I say she is.
This is 2023, have any laws changed since this article was written to better identify a service dog?
The primary way to verify a service dog remains the same, third parties can verbally ask the following two questions: 1. Is the dog a service dog required for a disability? and 2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
My landlord is refusing to allow my daughter to visit me with her service dog “because all dogs are banned from the premises”. I can’t find anything direct on visiting. Only being a tenant. Is this legal?
Service dogs have broad public access rights, including at residences. Landlords must accommodate tenants and guests who require the use of a service dog for their disability.
My friend & I were walking on an in-town trail,when we came upon a dog about a block in front of its master…wandering along the side of the trail…when we passed the master,I mentioned that dogs are suppose to be on a leash. He replied “Its a service dog, I don’t have to have him on a leash & I have papers”. We didn’t notice if the dog was wearing a service dog vest, since he was just kinda wandering. I’ve been bitten by an unleashed dog, so this hits a sore spot with me. So, the question here is…on a trail, where there are signs posted to keep your dog on a leash, are service dogs the exception? Thanks
Service dogs are allowed in public areas like trails. Documentation alone however does not prove that the person had a legitimate service dog. Third parties have the right to confirm service dogs by asking two questions: 1. Is the dog a service dog required for a disability? and 2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
AS a business owner, we get a lot pf people who declare their animal is a “service animal”. I ask one of the two acceptable legal questions – and the answer is often times ambiguous. I need some sort of list of what is considered an ADA recognized disability, otherwise people can say ANYTHING and I am obligated to let the pet in – often times it’s NOT an ADA recognized service dog. How can I differentiate and stop the public form abusing the rights of actual ADA recognized service dogs and their owners?
In answering the two questions, the handler does not have to state what their disability is. They only have to confirm they have a service dog required for a disability. They must also be able to describe what work or task their service dog has been trained to do.
By looking at how well behaved the dog is. A pet is more often than not NOT going to be well behaved. There is no list. If the dog performs a specific task for a disability, it is a service dog. You don’t get to make things difficult for the legit ones because of the liars.