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Service Animals (Disabilities) « Disabilities – Resources

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Service Animals – ADA Regulations
Articles & Publications and Resources
related to Service Animals

 

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Regarding Service Animals

  • ADA Business Brief: Service Animals (U.S. Dept. of Justice)
    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. This federal law applies to all businesses open to the public, including restaurants, hotels, taxis and shuttles, grocery and department stores, hospitals and medical offices, theaters, health clubs, parks, and zoos.
  • ADA Requirements: Service Animals (Revised 2010)
    The Department of Justice published revised final regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act. These requirements clarify and refine issues that have arisen over the past 20 years and contain new and updated requirements, including the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design.  This publication provides guidance on the term “service animal” and the provisions in the Department’s new regulations.
  • Are Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities Partnered With Psychiatric Service Dogs Covered Under the ADA? (Service Dog Central)
    It is important to make a distinction between ESAs (emotional support animals) and PSAs (psychiatric service animals), because PSAs are task-trained just like other SAs and are not there solely to provide emotional support. Therefore, PSAs meet the requirements of the definition of "service animal." People often confuse ESAs with PSAs, which has probably lead to this misunderstanding of whether the use of PSAs/PSDs is covered under the ADA.
  • Commonly Asked Questions About Service Animals in Places of Business (U.S. Dept. of Justice)
    What are the laws that apply to my business? How can I tell if an animal is really a service animal and not just a pet? Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, privately owned businesses that serve the public are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires these businesses to allow service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed.
  • For further information on these changes, please go to Section 35.136 Service animals in Part 35 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services (as amended by the final rule published on September 15, 2010), U.S. Department of Justice.

Articles and Publications regarding Service Animals

  • Animal Therapy on College Campuses
    In addition to traditional therapies, more and more college mental health professionals are turning to animal therapy programs. Learn more about animal therapy on college campuses, including how it works and how you can get involved.  
  • Individuals With Disabilities and Their Assistance Animals: A Brief History and Definitions
    The earliest evidence of animals assisting humans is found on wall paintings of dogs helping people navigate their environment.
  • Learn About the Different Types of Service Dogs (7/22/13)
    There are over a dozen different specializations for Service Dogs. What are all of these types of Service Dogs — and what do they do?  
  • MODEL PRODOCAL on Service Animals in Domestic Violence Shelters (WSCADV – February 2019)
    Communal living situations are always hard, and introducing service animals into the mix can create more complications, conflicts, and confusion. This document is divided into three sections with the goal to minimize confusion, providing a framework for addressing conflict, and embracing complications as an integral part of advocacy. 
  • Service or Companion Animals for Disabled Tenants (Tenant Screening Blog)
    If you’re a landlord, you are required to make “reasonable exceptions” to ensure disabled folks are not discriminated against. For example, even with a “no pets” policy, you may be required to make an exception to accommodate a service or companion animal.
  • Service Dog Etiquette (Bella Online)
    The first thing we should consider when teaching adults and children service dog etiquette is that it develops naturally from respectful and considerate behavior toward the dog handler who is a person with a disability. While none of us would presume to handle or interfere with a person's wheelchair controls, white cane or hearing aide, our first impulse may be to respond to or interact with service dogs as if they are pets. Children can often recognize and remember rules associated with working service animals better than adults, and may remind their parents that a working dog has a job to do that requires concentration and interaction only with its handler.
  • Special Education News – JD Supra (11/10)
    Information about service animals in school, wrongful graduation and more.
  • The Differences between Service and Therapy Animals (1/3/17)
    The service animal is undeniably different than the therapy one, not-to-mention the current laws to substantiate this.  
  • The List: The ins and out's of service animals in the workplace (4/1/19)
    Do you ever feel like your office is going to the dogs? Service animals are more than just guide dogs for the blind; trained pups can help individuals with a range of disabilities function more independently at work.

Resources related to Service Animals

  • Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans
    NEADS was established to train and provide rescued dogs and donated puppies to assist people who are deaf or physically disabled in leading more independent lives at work, at home and at school.
  • Links for Protecting Pets and Service Animals in Disasters
    Animal Care’s Emergency Programs envisions a nation working together to protect the public through ensuring the safety and well-being of animals during disasters.  Supporting animal safety and well-being during disasters is a significant factor in ensuring the safety and well-being of people.