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...
  • Access to Voting
    09/25/2019- Participating in the electoral process is a fundamental right in the United States. Voters with disabilities should have equal access and an equal opportunity to exercise this right. Join the Northeas...

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Technical Assistance
Social media graphic with a photo of a person scrolling one-handed on their smartphone. The person is missing one arm below the elbow and has curly, aqua-colored hair. What is Technical Assistance from the Northeast ADA Center? It is answers to questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it applies to a particular situation.
Technical Requirement
Social media graphic with a photo of a professional planner looking at a 3D model of a park. The text says: What does Technical Requirement mean in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design? This is the how of designing and building something to be accessible—how long, how wide, etc.
Scoping
Social media graphic with a photo of a parking lot with accessible parking spaces. The text says: What is Scoping in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design? Scoping tells us what features need to be accessible and how many of a feature needs to be accessible.
Program Access
Social media image that says: What is program access under Title II of the ADA? It's an equal opportunity for a person with a disability to benefit from a public entity's programs or services. The photo shows a person smiling in a swimming pool. The photo also shows that he has an arm without a hand.
Marginal Job Function
Social media image that says: What is a marginal job function under Title I of the ADA? It's a job-related task that is not an essential aspect of an employee's position. The photo shows a person working in an office environment while wearing a hearing aid.