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Service Dog Rights

Service Dogs are protected by the Federal Government under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Information about the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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 –
- Is that a Service Dog?
- What Services does your Service Dog provide?
Questions you are not permitted to ask about a Service Dog –
- Can you have your Service Dog perform the task?
- What disability do you have?
You are permitted to request a Service Dog leave the property if –
- Service Dog is causing a disturbance and will not stop
- Service Dog is threatening others
You are not permitted to deny a Service Dog access, even if –
- Someone is scared of dogs or uncomfortable with the dog’s breed
- 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.
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hello im a diabetic can I get a service dog? I have a poodle whose great at sniffing we’ll trained. would my dog be a serve dog for my diabetic
Yes, you might qualify for a diabetic service dog. You may find this article on diabetic service dogs interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/what-are-diabetic-service-dogs/
Are there service cats being used
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that only dogs or miniature horses are recognized as service animals. Cats and other animals however can become an Emotional Support Animal. They don’t have quite as many access rights but are protected for travel and in no-pet housing. You may find this article on cats and service animals interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/can-cats-be-service-animals/
I stay in apartment complex and I have PTSD dog where I have blackouts my dog was not on a leash due to me being outside to let him go potty the apartment manager said I need to keep him on a leash if have a episode how is he going to get help for me if I have him on a leash And they have all the proper paperwork from my Doctor Who do I need to speak to about this manager constantly aggravating me about my dog
We were in the park with our dog training her and someone kicked her incthe head her owner was chased by the man for over 1 hour. He stopped the police who disregarded him as hes deaf then took his dog. Hes my carer l was also chased but hid the police refused to take notice of us took his dog. Now after one month. They are asking for his owner to attend the police station. We nervous to exercise our other dog locally. As the cazy man who chased us around the park saying our dogs are dead they die today is stillout there my friend told the police his dog helps him alerting him of the phone and the door and buzer shes his hearing dog. Now they want a certificate. To provide proof. We are at the end of our tether. Upset by the loss of our dog . What do we do we were the victims in this. Wecare being punished for being attacked in the park. Can you help.
My daughter has a service dog in school. We have a legal mediation to protect both there, but I believe the school feels it’s only to protect them, although it’s my daughter who needs protection! My daughters teachers have grabbed the leash countless times in this district, taking her dog away, for no reason. They are not understanding you cannot do this! What can I do?
A little late but I think I can help a little. Emotional support dogs don’t have the same rights as Service dogs. The restaurant owner had the right to ask you to leave when you didn’t put your dog on the ground, but not to follow you to the pool of your apartment. ESD’s are permitted by law to be on that property and they cannot ask you to leave because of your dog. It is highly illegal to be threatened with a fine when they don’t even own the property, and it could even be seen as malicious intent if they saw you at the pool and decided to tell you to leave due to a previous encounter.
Hope this helps!
A legitimate note from a practicing and licensed medical professional stating your PTSD is all you need to have your dog as a Service dog. PTSD is a condition that allows for the accomlaniment of a service dog. Making me feel better is not and gets you to an Emotional Support Animal which does not have privileges anywhere other than under FHA (fair housing) rules. There is absolutely no such thing as certifying a dog as a service animal…only the owners need for one. Anyone who tells you otherwise or charges for an i.d. card is a fraud and just wants to take your money. BTW, a legitimate service animal must be on the floor (unless a specific disability requires otherwise) and well behaved otherwise the proprietor has every right to ask it to be removed. Therapy dogs are entirely.different and require training but have zero privileges to go anywhere unless welcomed or invited. These animals bring joy to others rather than assisting their handler.
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
You have a psychiatric service dog if it is tasking to your PTSD, not just there for comfort. The dog must be trained to complete a task for you . They are to be on the floor in restaurants. Service dogs are allowed on pool decks. You do not need any registration nor certification per the ADA law.
How do you get a non service dog certificate I have a emotional support dog!
In order to qualify for an ESA, your licensed mental health professional must diagnose your mental health disability and agree that a dog would be helpful as your treatment. You may find this article on how to qualify for an ESA interesting
https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-qualify-for-an-emotional-support-animal/
Pull the dogs card out show them and if they are still being a jerk tell them I’m not leaving call the cops and stand your ground.