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Do I Qualify for a Service Dog or an ESA?
For those wondering what disabilities qualify for individual assistance animals, it can be hard to determine which kind would offer the best in terms of service and companionship. Service animals and emotional support animals can get confusing from time to time. Here is a basic outline of what the similarities and differences are between service […]
Can I Take A Service Dog Into Work?
In 1990 The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became a law to protect the rights of disabled individuals from facing discrimination. Before The Americans With Disabilities Act, Employers could refuse to hire an individual just because they had a disability. This ability to discriminate based on an individuals disability meant that regardless of an individuals […]
Can I take my service dog into the movie theater?
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs must be allowed to accompany their handlers anywhere the general public is allowed to go, including movie theaters. According to the ADA “Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” Service dogs perform specific […]
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.
Sue, it is illegal.
Sue,
The ADA has a requirement that a service dog can not be left along in a hotel/lodging room.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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”
There is no basis in law that a service animal has to be trained to do three service tasks.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
does a dog go through harsh training to become a service dog
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.
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?
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?
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 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?
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.
Do I need a written note or “prescription” for a service dog?
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.
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.
Is it illegal to film my service dog (even if They crop my face out, I’m a minor)?
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…
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
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
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.
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!
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?
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.
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.