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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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 Service Animal Handlers
What should a service animal handler know about rights and responsibilities when they go into the community with the animal? -
The ADA and Service Animals
What’s a service animal? The answer depends on the situation, and this FAQ article explains the basics. -
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. -
The Spirit of the ADA and Your Business
If you are merely complying with the ADA to meet a legal requirement, you’re missing the true purpose—or spirit—of the ADA.
Fact Sheets
- Q&A - Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals in Single Family Homes Used as Vacation Rentals: ADA and FHA Implications (PDF)
- Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals Are Not the Same (PDF)
Learn why service animals and emotional support animals are different - 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. - 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
Ask About the ADA
- Service Animals on Airplanes
Q: Recently the Department of Transportation (DOT) changed the rules for service animals and emotional support animals on airplanes. Why was this done? A: The DOT made these changes to avoid problems... - 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... - Service Dogs at My B&B
Q: I live in and own a bed and breakfast that has four rooms. Do I have to allow service animals or emotional support animals to stay? A: No. The definition in the Americans with Disabilities Act (AD... - The difference between service animals, emotional support animals, or therapy animals can be confusing. Are they all covered under the ADA?
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is defined as a dog, and sometimes a miniature horse, that has been trained to complete a specific task relative to the needs of an in... - 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...
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... - 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... - 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: Not as Confusing as It May Seem—New Service Animals Toolkit Clears Up Confusion
July 06, 2022
I have had five dogs in my lifetime, and I can remember every single nuance of their personalities and what they’ve brought to my life. From my border collie I had as a child, to my mixed mutts...
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
- Check out the Northeast ADA Center's New Infographics!
April 17, 2019
Did you know that the Northeast ADA Center makes infographics with easy to understand facts, statistics, and tips about disability and the ADA? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for our wee... - 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... - September is National Service Dog Month
August 21, 2019
They provide companionship, inspire confidence, and live to serve, protect, and assist their handlers. Guide dogs, seeing eye dogs, service pets, and assistance animals are helping their humans perfor... - DOT Proposal Restricts Service Animals on Planes: So Long to the Emotional Support Peacock?
February 19, 2020
In January, the Department of Transportation proposed amendments to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulations. The proposed amendments are intended to clarify the rights and responsibilities of ai... - 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...