Service Dog Disabilities Act

A service dog is a working animal not a pet.

Service dog disabilities act.

While the act itself applies specifically to service animals the fha takes some of those qualifications and uses it to a grouping term assistance animals. The ada requires state and local government agencies businesses and non profit organizations covered entities that provide goods or services to the public to make reasonable modifications in their. This federal law applies to all businesses open to the. The department of justice continues to receive many questions about how the americans with disabilities act ada applies to service animals.

Under the americans with disabilities act ada businesses and organizations that serve the public must allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals into all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. In addition the individuals with disabilities education act idea and section 504 of the rehabilitation act allow a student to use an animal that does not meet the ada definition of a service animal if that student s individual education plan iep or section 504 team decides the animal is necessary for the student to receive a free and. It is also important for staff members at establishments such as restaurants stores hotels schools and other public locations to understand how they can properly. Federal law allows for a broader definition of service animals under the americans with disabilities act ada.

The fair housing act doesn t specify what illnesses qualify for a service dog but much of how they define service dogs rely on the qualifications of the americans with disability act. Service dog owners are afforded special rights and protections under the americans with disabilities act ada. The department of justice published revised final regulations implementing the americans with disabilities act ada for title ii state and local government services and title iii public accommodations and commercial facilities on september 15 2010 in the federal register.