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 ]

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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...

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Small business - Putting the ADA into practice
Social media banner with a background image of a tattoo artist giving a tattoo to a customer. The text says: Everyone in a business—from the owner to frontline staff—should know about the ADA. They should also understand how to communicate respectfully with customers with disabilities respectfully and why that is good for business.
Small business - Provide a parking spot for everyone!
Social media banner with a background image an accessible parking sign. The text says: Providing accessible parking spaces creates a great first impression of your business. The opportunity to park in an accessible space, without a long trek to the entrance, makes all the difference. It fosters a feeling of inclusion, and it’s the law.
Small business - Communicating effectively with customers
Social media banner with a background image of a person using sign language. The text says: Communication about, from, and with your business must be clear for people with and without disabilities, including those with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities.
Small business - I thought my business was “grandfathered!”
Social media banner with a background image of a map of the United States. The text says: The ADA regulations allow a business in a building that pre-dates the ADA to improve accessibility at a reasonable pace and price, so there is no need for a “grandfathering” provision. This is called readily achievable barrier removal.
Small business - New construction brings great opportunities!
Social media banner with a background image of a café with shiny fixtures. The text says: The ADA Standards address common features in many businesses, including accessible dining surfaces, sales and service counters, dressing rooms, toilet rooms, entrances, routes throughout your business, parking, and more.