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Service Dog Letter For Landlords: Why You Don’t Need One
Service Dogs and Their Rights Service dogs, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, have numerous rights. The ADA protects the rights of those with disabilities from discrimination, and give service animals the right to perform their duties so those with disabilities can participate in everyday life. Service animals, such as dogs and miniature horses, are […]
Service Dog Registration Guide
Service dogs are an amazing medical tool and are often underutilized due to a confusion in Service Dog regulations. We will go through what a service dog is, who can qualify to have a service dog, where you are allowed to take your service dog, and the benefits of completing your service dog registration. If […]
Disabilities that Qualify you for a Service Dog
If you have a physical, emotional, or mental disorder, then you will most likely qualify for a service dog. Below are the laws and a list of mental, emotional, and physical disabilities that may qualify you for a service dog.
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.
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??
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.
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.
This just happened to us. Not sure how to “certify” the dog. He’s a diabetic alert dog.
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!!
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?
State law can not over ride federal law. They are completely wrong in Georgia and can be civil
sued.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
👍
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.
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.
No ! It’s 4 on the floor. Meaning all four Paws 🐾
Yes, sometimes service dogs have bad hips, or are older, but they detect seizures or other medical issues that are not visible.
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
No, any trainer that is harsh should be reported for animal abuse. Good trainers do it with time, patience and knowledge.
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.
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.
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?
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 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?
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.
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.
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
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 …!?!
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.
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.
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 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.
Can A police officer kick a service dog off the beach? and or ask for identification
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.. ?
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