Service Dog Access Information

Introduction & Law

Access rights for Service Animals and/or Emotional Animals

Federal law stipulates that a Service Animal is “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability” and that Service Dog teams are allowed to enter areas where the public is normally allowed to go. However, a Service Dog team’s civil rights may be occasionally challenged by well-meaning people trying to keep pets out of the establishment. Unlike a service animal, an emotional support animal is not granted access to places of public accommodation. Under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), an emotional support animal is viewed as a "reasonable accommodation" in a housing unit that has a "no pets" rule for its residents. Any questions please contact the Service Dog committee at SDcmte@canineprofessionals.com.