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Service Dog Rights

Service dog riding in a car.

Service Dogs are protected by the Federal Government under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Information about the Americans with Disabilities Act.

ADA service animal laws.

Service Dogs are not pets and they are not emotional support animals.

Explain why a Service Dog is not the same as an Emotional Support Animal.

A service dog is a medical tool and as such have public access rights.

Service Dogs are permitted public access as they allow their handler to live a full life despite their disabilities.

Places Service Dogs have access to include:

  • Restaurants
  • Grocery Stores
  • Office or any place of work
  • Beaches
  • National Parks
  • Coffee Shops
  • Farmers Markets
  • No-pet apartments
  • Hotels
  • Movie Theaters
  • Rideshare and taxis

How to Prevent Service Dog Discrimination

Education is the most important tool to prevent Service Dog discrimination. Once you are aware of the guidelines the ADA has set out for Service Dogs, you can communicate with a Service Dog handler without accidental discrimination.

Questions that you can ask about a Service Dog –

  1. Is that a Service Dog?
  2. What Services does your Service Dog provide?

Questions you are not permitted to ask about a Service Dog –

  1. Can you have your Service Dog perform the task?
  2. What disability do you have?

You are permitted to request a Service Dog leave the property if –

  1. Service Dog is causing a disturbance and will not stop
  2. Service Dog is threatening others

You are not permitted to deny a Service Dog access, even if –

  1. Someone is scared of dogs or uncomfortable with the dog’s breed
  2. You have a no-pet policy

If you are a Service Dog handler and need to report Service Dog discrimination –

To report discrimination, you may contact the US Department of Justice directly. Contact the ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-800-514-0383 (TTY) to schedule an appointment.

The ADA might take up to 2 weeks to get back to you so this is not to be used for causes of immediate emergency. If you or your Service Dog is being threatened, remove yourself from the premises.

To learn more about Service Dog requirements, you may find the post below helpful.

Service Dog Requirements

1 comment

  1. Kathryn Powell says: February 9, 2020

    I have a emotional service dog 🐕‍🦺 for my PTSD a letter from my psychiatrist. I go out every Friday with my boy friend to a restaurant that has outdoor seating and my little 5lb dog is in a pouch on my hip. We are sitting at table like we always do. One waiter came over took our drink order. Then our waitress comes over and waits on us and brings back our appetizers. She then comes back to table to take our dinner order. All this time my little service dog is in her pouch not barking not bothering anyone. She then tells me I have to put the dog on the ground. I told her was a service dog and explained that the dog could not be in a chair 🪑 or on the restaurant the. She then went and got the manager and he treated me with such disrespect that he made me feel like I was an idiot and I needed to go. I was so upset and hurt 😢. I left the table and walked back to my boyfriends apartment. I was so hurt he triggered me. I did not eat dinner. Next day we went to the pool at his apartment where the owner of restaurant and Manager came over to my boyfriend and said he was in violation and that I needed to leave and he was going to have to pay a fine. When my boyfriend let the owner speak again very disrespectful with him and treated him like he is in big trouble and the owner of his apartment will be notified. After the owner of restaurant my boyfriend said that is a service dog. The owner mood changed instantly and was nice and said oh just bring me a copy of her card and you will be ok. This is what he needed. Again the owner of restaurant came over by the pool where I was sitting and treated me like I was a piece of trash. What are my rights. I’m not a vindictive person but I feel the Owner and Manager need to know the laws. The manager the night before when he came to my table while he was yelling out loud the entire restaurant clapped their hand 👏🏻 Like way to go Manager she needs to go with her dog. Again I felt so hurt 😭. Did he have the right to make me look like I was a person breaking the law?? Please if anyone can tell me what or how I should handle this? I would appreciate any support. Thank you

    Reply

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