Federal Service Dog Requirements

A service animal may not be excluded based on assumptions or stereotypes about the animal s breed or how the animal might behave.

Federal service dog requirements.

Full enjoyment rcw 49 60 040 14. Service dog owners are afforded special rights and protections under the americans with disabilities act ada. Generally a public entity shall modify its policies practices or procedures to permit the use of a service animal by an individual with a disability. The ada protects service dogs and their handlers.

A public entity may ask an individual with a disability to remove a service animal from the premises if 1 the animal is out of control and the animal s handler does not take effective action to control it. Or any animal that assists persons with disabilities by providing emotional support. It is essential for every service dog handler to understand what their legal rights are and how to exercise them. The department of justice published revised final regulations implementing the americans with disabilities act ada for title ii state and local government services and title iii public accommodations and commercial facilities on september 15 2010 in the federal register.

This guide provides an overview of how major federal civil rights laws govern the rights of a person requiring a service animal. These laws as well as instructions on how to file a complaint are listed in the last section of this publication. Under the air carrier access act acaa a service animal is any animal that is individually trained or able to provide assistance to a person with a disability. Use of dog guide or service animal unfair practice definitions rcw 49 60 218.

Typically service dogs are allowed to accompany their handlers most places that the general public is allowed as well as airlines and housing. There are some service animal laws that are federal and all 50 states must uphold them. However if a particular service animal behaves in a way that poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others has a history of such behavior or is not under the control of the handler that animal may be. Under florida law and the federal americans with disabilities act ada people with disabilities may bring their service animals to all public accommodations such as restaurants museums hotels and stores.

Definitions rcw 49 60 040 8. You have a disability can be emotional and your dog is trained can be trained by you to perform tasks to assist you with your disability. It is also important for staff members at establishments such as restaurants stores hotels schools and other public locations to understand how they can properly. Washington wa is making changes to the state s service animal laws effective 2019.

Documentation may be required of passengers needing to travel with an emotional support or psychiatric service animal. Interfering with dog guide or service animal rcw 9 91 170. While many of the laws apply to working with disabilities the one that applies most often for people who have a service animal or an esa is the 2 questions law.