The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as a dog that is individually trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a person’s disability. Service animals are recognized by their function, not by breed, certification, or registration. Eligibility to use a service dog under the ADA extends to any individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, without the need for formal approval or documentation beyond the two permitted public-access questions.

The ADA does not require federal certification, registration, or identification for service dogs. Businesses may only ask if the dog is a service animal required because of a disability and what task it performs. Staff cannot demand proof of training, health records, vaccination records, or medical documentation, and may only ask the two ADA-permitted questions.

Emotional support animals that are not trained to perform specific tasks do not qualify as service animals under the ADA’s public-access provisions. Tasks that qualify a dog as a service animal must directly mitigate a handler’s disability, such as guiding someone who is blind, alerting to seizures, or interrupting self-harm behaviors. General comfort or companionship alone is not enough to qualify.

Service dogs must be allowed in all public areas, including restaurants, stores, and theaters, as long as they remain under control and are housebroken. Housing providers, under both the ADA and the Fair Housing Act, must make reasonable accommodations for service dogs without imposing pet fees, deposits, or special insurance. Hotels and motels also must accommodate service dogs without extra fees.

There is no ADA requirement for service dogs to wear vests, harnesses, or ID tags, though handlers may choose to use these items to minimize confusion. Custom vests, harnesses, or capes are permitted but not mandatory.

Dogs that are trained to perform tasks that mitigate psychiatric disabilities, such as PTSD alerts or panic interruption, are recognized as service animals under the ADA. The ADA also allows individually trained miniature horses as service animals if they meet facility requirements for size, behavior, and control.

Staff may not ask handlers to demonstrate a service dog’s task. If a service dog is out of control or not housebroken, staff may request removal of the animal until it is under control. Service dogs must comply with leash laws unless the handler’s disability prevents it, and they should be kept under control by leash, harness, or voice commands.

Public transportation systems, including buses, trains, and subways, must permit service dogs to accompany handlers, provided they behave appropriately. Air travel is governed by the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), not the ADA, and airlines have separate documentation and policies. Taxicabs and rideshare drivers must also accommodate service dogs under the ADA, unless the animal poses a safety hazard.

Businesses cannot limit access to service dogs based on allergies or fear among staff or customers; reasonable accommodations must be made. General liability concerns do not justify removal of a service dog unless the animal’s presence poses a direct threat or it is out of control. Handlers may be held liable under state law for damages caused by their dog.

Landlords cannot refuse to rent to someone with a service dog, nor can they charge pet deposits or “pet rent.” The Fair Housing Act allows oral requests for accommodation, though written documentation may help avoid misunderstandings. Service dogs must be permitted in schools and colleges, both public and private, in all areas where students or staff are allowed.

Service dogs are allowed in hospitals and medical clinics in patient-accessible areas, though infection control measures may apply in certain settings. They are also permitted in any federal, state, or local government facility open to the public, and have the same access rights to polling stations on election day as their handlers.

The ADA does not set federal training standards for service dogs, but handlers must ensure their dogs are individually trained to perform required tasks reliably. Service dogs may be trained by professionals, organizations, or handlers themselves, provided the dog meets ADA behavioral and task criteria. Self-training is permitted as long as the dog reliably performs tasks and behaves appropriately in public.

A handler may be accompanied by multiple service dogs if each dog is trained to perform tasks related to the handler’s disability and remains under control. A service dog task list is a written outline of each task a dog is trained to perform, linking specific behaviors to the handler’s disability needs.

Major life activities under the ADA include walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, learning, working, and caring for oneself. Handlers are financially responsible for their service dog’s actions, and expenses for purchasing, training, and maintaining a service dog may qualify as medical deductions with the IRS.

Service dogs must be housebroken and groomed regularly to remain clean and non-disruptive in public, though the ADA does not specify grooming requirements. Microchipping and special vaccinations are not required by the ADA but may be mandated by state or local laws. Special insurance is not required, though handlers may opt for liability coverage.

Handlers who are denied access can calmly explain their ADA rights, request to speak with a manager, and file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice or pursue action in state or federal court for discrimination.