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Frequently
Asked Questions About Service Dogs
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What is a service
animal?
Any animal individually
trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a
disability. This can include guiding a person with impaired vision,
alerting a person with impaired hearing to the presence of people or
sounds, pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped items, etc.
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What is a disability?
Any physical or mental
condition that substantially limits a major life activity, such as
caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing,
hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.
No. Many disabilities are
hidden, such as epilepsy, heart disease, vision and hearing
impairments, lung disease, and those that are of
psychological/emotional origin.
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Can I demand that a
person tell me details about their disability?
No. A person with a
disability is not required by law to reveal his/her disability, which
entitles him/her to have a service animal.
If you aren't sure whether
an animal is a pet or a service animal, ask the person with the
animal. "Is this your pet?" is non-confrontational and
permits the person to identify the animal in a dignified manner.
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Can a person be
required to show proof that their animal is a service animal?
No. Although
service animals are defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), there are currently no nationally established standards, certification
or evaluation
criteria with which to evaluate the
training or performance of any type of service animal, including guide
dogs. A number of States have programs to certify service
animals. However, a private entity cannot insist on proof of
State certification before permitting the entry of a service animal to
a place of public accommodation.
Yes. A public
accommodation must modify its policies to permit the use of a trained
service animal by an individual with a disability, unless doing so
would result in a fundamental alteration or jeopardize the safe
operation of the public accommodation. While service animals might not
be found riding a roller coaster or being admitted into a sterile
surgical area, service animals may accompany their owners in
taxi cabs, trains and buses, to their doctors' offices, to work, in
hotel and motels, stores, health clubs, schools, and practically every
other place the general public is welcomed.
SOSDOG recommends that you
train your Service Dog under the guidance of a professional dog
trainer. Training sessions should be given on a one-to-one basis
or in a small group class setting. Training your dog to a
service dog standard requires a professional level of skill. In order to achieve this level of skill, you need a
professional who can show you what to do, watch your every move and
make corrections when called for.
This professional level of individualized instruction is needed so
that your Service Dog will behave impeccably when out in the
community.
Yes, it is ok to do
this. Some handlers use a mat to keep their SD from leaving a
pile of hair on the floor when the team leaves. Others use a mat
when floors are dirty and in order to keep their SD clean. Some
dogs with short hair need a mat on cold or hard surfaces. A mat
used regularly retains the scent of familiar surroundings. This
may be comforting to a dog on travel, or one that is going to a new
place for the first time. A mat provides a natural ‘target’
for a dog that is put in a down-stay.
No, it would be
inappropriate to do so. Please feed/water your SD before or
after going to the restaurant.
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Is it ok for my
SD to be in a chair next to me instead of on the floor?
Generally, no.
Unless a SD is performing a duty that may not otherwise be performed
from the floor, a dog's four feet should always be on the ground.
Consider leaving a
space between you and the rest of your party and have your SD rest on
the floor between you. Provide a soft mat for your SD to rest upon, as
movie theater floors can be dirty, and sometimes pesticides are
applied to the floors, in order to prevent bacterial and mold growth.
In crowded theater conditions, there may be no choice but to put your
SD directly at your feet. Small SDs may need to remain in your lap so
that they aren't stepped-on. Finally, it is never appropriate to
occupy designated wheelchair seating (even when empty), if you are not
a wheelchair user, yourself, or directly assisting someone who is a
wheelchair user.
For
additional information about service animals and the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), visit the web site of the Department
of Justice. For
additional information about Florida Statues concerning service
animal, Click
Here.
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