What disabilities can you get a service dog for

The handler is responsible for the care and supervision of his or her service animal. If a service animal behaves in an unacceptable way and the person with a disability does not control the animal, a business or other entity does not have to allow the animal onto its premises.

Uncontrolled barking, jumping on other people, or running away from the handler are examples of unacceptable behavior for a service animal. A business has the right to deny access to a dog that disrupts their business. If a service animal is growling at other shoppers at a grocery store, the handler may be asked to remove the animal.

This can occur using a harness, leash, or other tether. A service animal must be allowed to accompany the handler to any place in the building or facility where members of the public, program participants, customers, or clients are allowed. Service animals are not pets. When a person with a service animal enters a public facility or place of public accommodation, the person cannot be asked about the nature or extent of his disability.

Only two questions may be asked:. A public accommodation or facility is not allowed to ask for documentation or proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal.

Local laws that prohibit specific breeds of dogs do not apply to service animals. A place of public accommodation or public entity may not ask an individual with a disability to pay a surcharge, even if people accompanied by pets are required to pay fees.

Entities cannot require anything of people with service animals that they do not require of individuals in general, with or without pets. If a public accommodation normally charges individuals for the damage they cause, an individual with a disability may be charged for damage caused by his or her service animal. Laws prohibit employment discrimination because of a disability. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodation.

Allowing an individual with a disability to have a service animal or an emotional support animal accompany them to work may be considered an accommodation. Documentation might include a detailed description of how the animal would help the employee in performing job tasks and how the animal is trained to behave in the workplace.

A person seeking such an accommodation may suggest that the employer permit the animal to accompany them to work on a trial basis. Both service and emotional support animals may be excluded from the workplace if they pose either an undue hardship or a direct threat in the workplace.

It is important to keep in mind that the ADA may apply in the housing context as well, for example with student housing. Service animals in public schools K 13 — The ADA permits a student with a disability who uses a service animal to have the animal at school. Where the ADA applies, however, schools should be mindful that the use of a service animal is a right that is not dependent upon the decision of an IEP or Section team. Emotional support animals, therapy animals, and companion animals are seldom allowed to accompany students in public schools.

Service animals in postsecondary education settings — Under the ADA, colleges and universities must allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals into all areas of the facility that are open to the public or to students.

Higher education institutions may not require any documentation about the training or certification of a service animal.

They may, however, require proof that a service animal has any vaccinations required by state or local laws that apply to all animals. The laws apply to both public and private transportation providers and include subways, fixed-route buses, Paratransit, rail, light-rail, taxicabs, shuttles and limousine services. At the end of , the U. We are working to update the information provided below to align with the changes.

The Air Carrier Access Act ACAA requires airlines to allow service animals and emotional support animals to accompany their handlers in the cabin of the aircraft.

Service animals — For evidence that an animal is a service animal, air carriers may ask to see identification cards, written documentation, presence of harnesses or tags, or ask for verbal assurances from the individual with a disability using the animal. If you have a physical, emotional, or even mental disabilities, then you may likely qualify for a service dog.

If you believe you qualify for a Service Dog and are ready to begin the progress of making your pet dog into your trusted partner, here is a helpful summary with next steps. Click here to Register your Service Dog.

The Americans with Disabilities Act ADA defines a person with a disability as individuals with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Disability, according to the FHA, is a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activities.

The Air Carrier Access Act , on the other hand, does give more specifics on what qualifies as a disability. For those looking to take their service dogs while traveling, all airlines will accept service dogs without question, and will only not permit service dogs into the cabin of the aircraft if the animal is too heavy, poses a threat to others, cause disruption to the cabin service, or is not allowed in a specific country. One specific qualification for people flying is that their disability is listed underneath the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , these are the types of disorders that qualify as a mental disability:. However, the manual is more relevant for those who have a psychiatric service animal , emotional support animals or therapy animals. Those with service dogs will not be required to provide documentation or show proof of their disability.

However, looking through the manual can help you determine whether a psychiatric service animal, an emotional support animal, or a therapy animal is the right choice for you. Service dogs can benefit their owner by providing a physical service or task.

Service dogs can assist with a variety of tasks that include opening doors, carrying items, navigating their owner, providing balance, alerting their owners, locating objects, and more. Service animals can also provide aid to those in need by rolling over their handler and clearing the airways to prevent suffocation during a health emergency situation. The tasks service animals are capable of accomplishing are quite astonishing.

In addition to service dogs being employed to help those with physical disabilities, they are also capable of being trained to aid individuals with mental disabilities. Service dogs can perform a range of tasks to help and support people with mental disabilities.

The animals can be trained to distract and diffuse the handler from things such as depression, mood swings, self-harm, or a panic attack by rubbing, nuzzling, or licking their owner. They can also distract their handler by instigating play in ways such as bringing a ball or stick to the owner. Service dogs can also be trained to provide deep pressure therapy by lying on the chest of the handler to calm them during a panic attack.

Another task the dogs can perform is reminding the handler to take prescribed medications or calling a support person, therapist, or suicide hotline through programmed numbers on a dog-friendly phone. Service dogs can assist people with anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder through crowd control by circling or guarding the handler to create a barrier or by guarding their backs.

They can also enter a building to check the perimeters and reassure the handler that the area is safe. The person must also provide documentation from a medical professional that their disability could be improved or supported in some way by the service animal.

This means contacting a medical professional is most often the first step in acquiring a service animal. Assessing the needs of the patient and the ways in which a service animal can aid them is paramount in the decision-making process of acquiring a service animal.

A trained service animal can be quite expensive and comes with its own needs as well food and water being the obvious ones. Miniature horses generally range in height from 24 inches to 34 inches measured to the shoulders and generally weigh between 70 and pounds. Entities covered by the ADA must modify their policies to permit miniature horses where reasonable.

The regulations set out four assessment factors to assist entities in determining whether miniature horses can be accommodated in their facility. The Americans with Disabilities Act authorizes the Department of Justice the Department to provide technical assistance to individuals and entities that have rights or responsibilities under the Act.

This document provides informal guidance to assist you in understanding the ADA and the Department's regulations. This guidance document is not intended to be a final agency action, has no legally binding effect, and may be rescinded or modified in the Department's complete discretion, in accordance with applicable laws.