We’ve all seen the signs outside stores and restaurants: Service animals only, no pets.
So what’s the difference between an average pet and a service animal? We’ve got all the important info for you.
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Service animals assist individuals with disabilities by performing essential tasks and are legally allowed in public spaces without needing certification.
What they are
Service animals can be any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal that is trained to provide assistance to a person.
The Americans with Disabilities Act states a service animal is “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.”
What they do
They perform some of the functions the person with a disability cannot perform. This includes alerting people to sounds, sensing the onset of a seizure, and other functions.
For example, a person with diabetes might have a dog that is trained to alert him when his blood sugar reaches low levels.
Another one is that a person with depression may have a dog that is trained to remind them to take their medication.
Rights
People with disabilities who use service animals are entitled to full and equal access to the services and facilities of public accommodations.
Individuals with disabilities can be accompanied by their service animal in all public areas.
A public accommodation cannot charge an additional fee because a person uses a service animal.
State and health codes cannot be used to prohibit people with disabilities from taking their service animals into public areas such as restaurants, hospitals and similar locations.
Reasons for exclusion
The service animal can be excluded if the animal’s behavior is threatening to the health and safety of others (not including allergies or fear of animals).
If the animal is removed, the person with a disability must be given the option to continue accessing the public accommodation, housing or employment without having the animal on the premises.
Additional facts
- If the service animal meets the definition, no certification or ID is required. However, they are subject to local dog licensing and registration requirements.
- Emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals.
- The ADA does not require service animals to be professionally trained.
- The ADA does not restrict the type of dog breeds that can be service animals.