09/25/2025
In honor of National Service Dog Month, and every day, we believe that education is important for people to understand service dogs. Service dogs provide vital assistance to people to support the personal, social, and occupational assistance of their handlers. In the U.S., service dogs are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). What does that mean?
✔Rights
🔸Service dogs can accompany their handler anywhere the public is allowed, including restaurants, stores, hotels, and public transportation with very few exceptions.
✔Businesses may only ask two questions:
🔸Is the dog required because of a disability?
🔸What work or task is the dog trained to perform?
❌ They may not ask about the handler’s disability, require special papers/certification, or require a demonstration of these skills.
⚖️ Responsibilities
🔸Service dogs must be under control at all times (leash, harness, or tether unless it interferes with the dog’s work).
🔸They must be housebroken and behave appropriately in public.
🔸Handlers are responsible for the dog’s care, supervision, and well-being.
🚫 Limitations
🔸Emotional support, therapy, or comfort animals are not considered service dogs under the ADA. Therefore, they do not have public access rights.
🔸A service dog may be asked to leave if it is out of control or not housebroken.
👉 Education is key! Knowing the rights and responsibilities ensures access, safety, and respect for those who depend on their service dogs. To learn more about the rights and responsibilities, visit ▶ https://www.ada.gov/topics/service-animals/
💚Many states have additional rights. Research your state to learn more.
💕To support our mission to change lives one service dog at a time, please visit ▶ https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTAxNjUz
