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.
Articles
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The ADA and Service Animals
What’s a service animal? The answer depends on the situation, and this FAQ article explains the basics. -
The ADA and Service Animal Handlers
What should a service animal handler know about rights and responsibilities when they go into the community with the animal? -
Service Animals Overview
Service animals are one of the most asked about topics on the Northeast ADA Center’s technical assistance hotline. -
The ADA and Health Care Providers
This article introduces basic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for health care providers. -
Miniature Horses as Service Animals
Why and how a miniature horse can be used as a service animal to assist a person with a disability.
Fact Sheets
- Key Facts about Service Animals for Disaster Shelter Workers (PDF)
Disaster Shelters must permit a person with a disability to be accompanied by their service animal, even if the shelter has a “No Pets” policy. - Q&A - Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals in Single Family Homes Used as Vacation Rentals: ADA and FHA Implications (PDF)
- Service Animals (PDF)
- Service Animals Can Be Miniature Horses (PDF)
Learn why miniature horses can be ideal as service animals in this colorful fact sheet from the Northeast ADA Center - Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals Are Not the Same (PDF)
Learn why service animals and emotional support animals are different
Ask About the ADA
- Are service animals permitted in disaster shelters?
Yes. Permitting a service animal can be a form of reasonable modification of a policy. Typically, a service animal should be permitted to go where the public is allowed to go. The handler must be a pe... - Service Animals on Public Transit
Q: Are the rules for service animals different on public transportation than they are for service animals in other areas like restaurants and stores? A: The biggest difference between the Dept. of Tr... - Is a service animal in training afforded the same rights as a fully trained service animal?
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal in training is not recognized as a service animal and therefore would not be given the same rights to access places of public accommod... - Do I need to get a special license for my service dog to be registered as a service animal?
No. Under Title II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), covered entities such as businesses or state and local governments may not require any documentation related to a service anima... - Emotional Support Dogs in Common Areas of Housing
Q: I was told by my apartment complex’s management that that I would need a doctor’s note in order to take my emotional support dog into any common areas like the laundry room. Is th...
Infographics
Infographics
Blog Posts
- Service Animals at Work in the Human Workplace
December 22, 2015
by Joe Zesski and Angela Winfield Is it mandatory to allow service animals in the workplace? This is a tricky question. And, like most tricky questions, the answer is it depends. Under the America... - No Dogs Allowed? Service Animals at Work
January 24, 2018
One of the most frequently asked about topics at the Northeast ADA Center is service animals. Often, these questions relate to service animals in businesses and public spaces; or about the right to ha... - Service Animals and Social Media (My Lassie Moment)
January 21, 2020
In June of 2018, Sarah Aswell, a freelance writer and comedian, posted an article titled If a Service Dog Approaches You without Their Owner, They Need Your Help on the website ScaryMommy. The article... - All the Buzz About Emotional Support Animals
December 23, 2019
When I provide technical assistance to our various stakeholders that call into the Northeast ADA Center, a recurring topic is the use of service animals outlined in the American’s with Disabilit... - Service Animals in Housing
March 06, 2018
Often, when a person feels that their rights are being infringed upon relative to their disability, the first thing that comes to mind is the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA). While t...
Webinars
- Introduction to the Service Animal Toolkit
July 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... - ADA 101.1 Defining Disability
March 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... - Service Animal Scenarios
March 27, 2019
Chris Sweet, Northeast ADA Technical Assistance and Outreach Specialist, will present Service Animal Scenarios. Service animals often appear in popular media as a topic of contention as airlines, sto... - Is That a Service Animal: What Rights Apply Where
January 24, 2018
The Northeast ADA Center is often asked about service animals. It can be confusing for individuals with disabilities, businesses, transit providers, and landlords to know what rights a person with a d... - Air Travel for Individuals with Disabilities: Intersection of the Air Carriers Access Act and the ADA
November 18, 2015
A recent study by the Open Doors Organization revealed that in the past two years, more than 26 million adults with disabilities traveled for business or pleasure. While legislation such as the Air Ca...
News
- New York Passes Law Against Service Animal Fraud, Joining Other States
January 17, 2018
New York recently joined an increasing number of states that have passed laws aimed at curbing abuse of laws and regulations designed to ensure that individuals with disabilities can be accompanied by... - Free Webinar-ADA National Network Learning Session: Who Let the Dogs (and Miniature Horses) In? Service Animals in Health Care Facilities
May 20, 2020
Thursday, May 28th, 202011:30 AM PDT - 1:00 PM PDT According to the Bureau of Global Public Affairs within the U.S. Department of State, approximately 500,000 service dogs assist people with disabili... - East Haddam CT Grocery Store to Allow Service Animals Under ADA Settlement
May 15, 2019
The U.S. Attorney's office announced Monday it has reached an agreement with Grist Mill Market to resolve allegations that the store was not operating in compliance with the Americans with Disabilitie... - Free Webinar! "Is That a Service Animal: What Rights Apply Where?"
January 17, 2018
January 24, 20181:00pm to 2:00pm One of the most popular topics that the Northeast ADA is asked about is service animals. It can be confusing for individuals with disabilities, businesses, transit pr... - Animals on Planes a Challenge for Airlines, Passengers
February 22, 2018
When Marlin Jackson arrived at his row on a Delta flight from Atlanta to San Diego in June, a man with a sizable dog on his lap already occupied the middle seat. Jackson squeezed by them to his window...