..
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.
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.
No.
-
Are there Federal standards for the
training of a service animal?
No. No Federal training
standards have been established for service animal trainers.
Though many professional service animal trainers (and training
organizations) do subscribe to a set of standards for training, each
may still maintain their own standards, certification and evaluation
criteria. Service animal trainers may be independent or
affiliated with a service animal training school. In addition,
individuals with disabilities may train their own service animals.
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.
A service animal can be any
breed or size. It might wear specialized equipment such as a
backpack, harness, or special collar or leash, but this is not a legal
requirement.
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.
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.
For additional information
about service animals and the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), visit the web site of the Department
of Justice.
|
