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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.

   

• 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.

   

• Are all disabilities visible?

  No. Many disabilities are hidden, such as epilepsy, heart disease, vision and hearing impairments, lung disease, and those that are of psychological/emotional origin.

   

• 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.

   

• How do I know if an animal is 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.

   

• Can a person be required to show proof that their animal is a service animal?

  No.  Although service animals are defined in the ADA, there are no criteria requiring identification or certification of a service animal.  While some animals receive "certification papers," others do not.  There is currently no national standard 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, public entities are prohibited (by the Federal ADA law) from requiring certification of a service animal for the purpose of access.  A private entity cannot insist on proof of State certification before permitting the entry of a service animal to a place of public accommodation.

   

• Are service animals really permitted to be in places like grocery stores, restaurants, and movie theaters?

  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.

   

• I’ve never trained a dog before.  Where do I begin?

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 utterance as you do it, and correct you when it is called for.  This professional level of individualized instruction is needed so that your Service Dog will behave impeccably when out and about in the community.

• Is it ok to carry a mat for my SD to rest on when we are in public?

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.

 

• Is it okay for me to feed/water my service dog inside a restaurant?

No, it would be inappropriate to do so.  Please feed/water your SD before or after going to the restaurant.

• 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.

  

• What is the appropriate placement of a SD in a movie theater?

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.