Facts You Should Know about Service Dogs
This information is also available as a brochure you can download and print. Additional information about Service Dog etiquette is also available.
What is a service dog? It is a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. What is a disability? It is any physical or mental condition that substantially limits a major life activity. Examples of "major life activities" include:
Some disabilities may not be visible, such as:
What can a service dog do for someone with a disability? Service dogs can be trained to perform a wide range of tasks depending on the needs of the particular person with a disability. Dogs can be trained to:
Do special laws apply to service dogs? Yes, people with disabilities who have service dogs have civil rights protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. What kind of protection is guaranteed under the ADA? The ADA requires businesses and places of public accommodation to admit people with disabilities who have service dogs to their premises. People with service dogs have access to nearly every place where the general public is welcomed. For example, service dogs are permitted to ride in taxicabs, buses, and trains. They may enter restaurants, theaters, hotels, and public schools. There are some rare situations where access to people with service dogs can be denied. An example would be admission to a sterile surgical setting. How can I identify if a dog is a service dog and not just a pet? The simple answer is to ask the handler, "Is this a service dog?" You may also ask what tasks the dog has been trained to do for the handler. A service dog can be any breed or size. Does the dog have to wear a vest or tag to identify it as a service dog? No, there is no Federal requirement that the dog wear any special gear or identification. Also, there is no requirement that the handler carry any certification papers showing that the dog has been trained as a service dog. You may not ask the person about the nature or extent of his or her disability. How do local health and safety laws apply to service dogs? Remember that service dogs are not pets. Therefore, local laws that restrict pets from restaurants, housing, and theaters, for example, are not applicable to service dogs. A good rule of thumb is that the ADA is the law that governs matters related to access to public places and businesses for people with disabilities accompanied by their service dogs. But, handlers of service dogs must obey local leash and vaccine laws and must have their dogs under control at all times. What if my employees don't like dogs or are afraid of them? If you operate a business open to the public you must still permit a person with a service dog to have access. Plan ahead so that employees who are not fearful of dogs handle interactions with customers and clients with service dogs. What if the service dog barks, growls, or whines? First, find out what happened before taking action. Maybe someone stepped on the dog's tail causing it to yelp. Also, the dog may have barked in response to the handler's medical condition. Finally, if the service dog's behavior is disruptive or destructive, you may ask the handler to remove it from the premises. The handler is responsible for any damage done by his or her service dog. What if other customers complain about a service dog being present? Explain to your customers that the service dog is medically necessary and that Federal law permits people with service dogs to have access to public places.
If Federal and State laws conflict, generally the one that affords the greatest protection to the person with a disability takes precedence. Federal Legislation
State LawsCheck with the Attorney General's Office in your State for applicable State laws and regulations. Use the "Facts You Should Know About Service Dogs" brochure ( PDF, 52K) to learn more about service dogs and to educate businesses in your area about the access rights of people with disabilities and their service dogs. Please feel free to download, print, and copy the brochure in its entirety to share with others.
You may also purchase the brochure in bulk (bundles of 100 brochures).
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