The ADA and Service Animals - Service Animals are not considered “Pets”
When you see a sign at a business establishment that says “no pets allowed”, do you know service animals for the disabled are automatically excluded? Most people probably don’t. It’s my opinion, based on an online article by Audrey Blackwell (Service dogs bring new life to the disabled), that many businesses are not even aware of the ADA and its position on service animals.
In fact, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not consider a service animal a pet at all. They are trained animals (any animal) to assist individuals with disabilities of varying types, not just blindness. The U.S. Department of Justice has a web site (www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/qasrvc.htm) that addresses the most frequently asked questions regarding service animals for the disabled. In it, I found the following there (paraphrased):
The Americans with disabilities act makes it a requirement that privately owned businesses that serve the public must allow individuals with disabilities who have service animals access to business premises. This applies to areas of the business in which customers are generally allowed to go.
The act also states that individuals with disabilities who use service animals cannot be charged fees or deposits when such animals are on business premises, as might be the case for pet animals. In other words, the ADA makes a clear distinction between pets and animals that alert hearing impaired individuals, pull wheelchairs, and assist the mobility impaired with balance and ambulation.
In Ms. Blackwell’s article, Capt McNutty of the Venice Police Department makes it clear that the law is on the side of the disabled and if they have problems they can report it to his police department. I feel certain this is true everywhere.
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In fact, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not consider a service animal a pet at all. They are trained animals (any animal) to assist individuals with disabilities of varying types, not just blindness. The U.S. Department of Justice has a web site (www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/qasrvc.htm) that addresses the most frequently asked questions regarding service animals for the disabled. In it, I found the following there (paraphrased):
The Americans with disabilities act makes it a requirement that privately owned businesses that serve the public must allow individuals with disabilities who have service animals access to business premises. This applies to areas of the business in which customers are generally allowed to go.
The act also states that individuals with disabilities who use service animals cannot be charged fees or deposits when such animals are on business premises, as might be the case for pet animals. In other words, the ADA makes a clear distinction between pets and animals that alert hearing impaired individuals, pull wheelchairs, and assist the mobility impaired with balance and ambulation.
In Ms. Blackwell’s article, Capt McNutty of the Venice Police Department makes it clear that the law is on the side of the disabled and if they have problems they can report it to his police department. I feel certain this is true everywhere.
Return to:
Additional Entries
Am I eligible for social security disability benefits?
The Definition of Social Security Disability
How do you pay a disability lawyer for services?
Children Disability benefits
Social Security Disability program information
How Social Security disability benefits get determined?
Denied for disability benefits - how many times will it happen?
Finding a disability attorney in your area
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