Service animal

Generally, a service animal is an animal that is individually trained to perform a specific task for an individual with a disability. The specific definition, however, varies in different contexts:

  • Title II and Title III, generally: Under the regulations from the US Department of Justice for Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), a service animal is a dog that is individually trained to perform a specific task for an individual with a disability. No other types of animals, with the sole exception of a miniature horse, are considered service animals. Service animals are generally allowed wherever the public is permitted to go. This includes restaurants, theaters, hotels, colleges, county social service offices, and medical offices. A special license or certification is not required for a service animal. This definition does not include emotional support as a task.
  • Title II and the US Department of Transportation (DOT): It is important to know that the DOT uses a different definition of service animal in relation to Title II. This applies to transportation controlled or operated by a state or local government, such as city buses, light rail, and commuter trains. In these circumstances, a service animal is defined by the DOT as “any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability…” In these regulations, a service animal does not necessarily have to be a dog.
  • Employment: The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) does not define a service animal, but a service animal is considered to be a reasonable accommodation, so an employee must request to have their service animal in the workplace.
  • Fair Housing Act (FHA): Under the FHA, the term assistance animal is used instead of service animal. This law—which is enforced by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development—uses a very different definition. This definition includes what is considered a service animal under the ADA, but it has fewer limitations.

[ Read: Service Animals Overview ]

Related Resources

Articles (49) Blogs (104) News (449) Webinars (4) Fact Sheets (35) Infographics (214)

Articles

Blogs

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News

Webinars

  • Introduction to the Service Animal Toolkit
    07/27/2022- Do customers bring dogs into your business claiming they are service animals, emotional support animals, comfort dogs, or therapy dogs? Join Chris Sweet, technical assistant for the Northeast ADA Cent...
  • Northeast ADA Center Year in Review 2020
    01/28/2021- While COVID-19 was certainly one of the largest stories of 2020, other ADA items of note happened as well. Join the technical assistance team of the Northeast ADA Center as they review the year 2020....
  • ADA 101.2 Overview of Title I and Employment
    04/26/2021- This webinar is the third in the Northeast ADA's ADA 101 series. Intended for those new to the Americans with Disabilities Act or for those wanting a refresher, this webinar will focus on the employme...
  • ADA 101.1 Defining Disability
    03/26/2021- This presentation builds on the introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) given in the webinar ADA 101. Intended for those new to the ADA or for those wanting a refresher, this webinar...

Documents

Infographics

2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
Social media banner with a background image of a universal access sign. The text says: What do the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design require? They require newly designed and constructed or altered state and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities to be readily accessible to—and usable by—individuals with disabilities.
What is the EEOC?
Social media banner with a background image of a judge’s gavel and sounding block. The text says: What is the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)? The EEOC is the federal agency that enforces employment-related nondiscrimination laws, including the employment provisions in Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
What is ADA PARC?
Social media banner with a background image of two people raising their hands to speak. The text says: What is the ADA Participation Action Research Consortium (ADA PARC)? This national collaboration gathers data about community living, community participation, and work/economic participation of people with disabilities.
Olmstead Decision
Social media banner with a background image of a seated person being assisted by a helping person. The text says: What did the 1999 US Supreme Court Olmstead Decision say about the ADA? It clarified that under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state-funded supports and services for people with disabilities must be community-based when appropriate, reasonable, and the wish of the individual.
Service animals and businesses – two tips
Social media banner with a background showing three people and a service dog standing on a path in front of shrubbery. One person is using a walker. The text says: Service animals and businesses. Two tips for when a service animal enters your business… Don’t distract a service animal; they’re working. Remember that the handler is your customer, not the animal.