As we have placed more and more dogs with clients, questions involving a service dog's rights are constantly popping in our email, social media, texting, and voice messages. That's great! It means people are wanting to know the right way to do things, and are trying to stay informed. So, we decided a post with FAQs and answers would be a fantastic idea! There will also be links to more information at the end.
These questions and answers are taken from the ADA website (
www.ada.gov) and our good friend at
www.k9wings.com
Q1 What is a service animal?
A: Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do
work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be
directly related to the person’s disability.
Q2 What does “do work or perform tasks” mean?
A: The dog must be trained to take a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability. For example, a person with diabetes may have a dog that is trained to alert him when his
blood sugar reaches high or low levels. A person with depression may have a dog that is trained
to remind her to take her medication. Or, a person who has epilepsy may have a dog that is
trained to detect the onset of a seizure and then help the person remain safe during the seizure.
Q3 Are emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals considered service animals under the ADA?
A: No. These terms are used to describe animals that provide comfort just by being with a
person. Because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not
qualify as service animals under the ADA. However, some State or local governments have
laws that allow people to take emotional support animals into public places. You may check
with your State and local government agencies to find out about these laws.
Q4 Are service-animals-in-training considered service animals under the ADA?
A: No.Under the ADA, the dog must already be trained before it can be taken into public
places. However, some State or local laws cover animals that are still in training.
(Be sure and check with your state on these laws!)
Q5 Does the ADA require that service animals be certified as service animals?
A: No. Covered entities may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has
been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry.
Q6 My city requires me to register my dog as a service animal. Is this legal under the ADA?
A: No. Mandatory registration of service animals is not permissible under the ADA. However, as stated above, service animals are subject to the same licensing and vaccination
rules that are applied to all dogs.
Q7 Are restaurants, bars, and other places that serve food or drink required to allow service
animals to be seated on chairs or allow the animal to be fed at the table?
A: No. Seating, food, and drink are provided for customer use only. The ADA gives a person with a disability the right to be accompanied by his or her service animal, but covered
entities are not required to allow an animal to sit or be fed at the table.
Q8 Do apartments, mobile home parks, and other residential properties have to comply
with the ADA?
A: The Fair Housing Act is the Federal law that protects the rights of people with disabilities
in residential facilities. For information or to file a complaint, contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-669-9777.
Well, that hopefully answers some questions you may have had, if you have more
please go to www.k9wings.com and look for the links button. Also, you can go to the
ADA website www.ada.gov or call toll free at 800-514-0301.
