Service Dog Exclusions
A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service dog from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service dog be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal’s presence.
A service animal may be excluded under the Americans with Disabilities Act, if the service animal would alter the nature of an environment. For example, a university may restrict service animals from certain areas reserved for students with allergies. A service dog may also be restricted from entering areas where animals on display are natural predators of dogs. These are examples of a service dog being disruptive, for which a facility or service may restrict other animal presence, in the interest of protecting both the patrons and residents.
A service animal must also be under the control of the handler at all times. The animal must be harnessed in public places unless the restriction interferes with the service animal’s work. A service dog must respect the environment unless provoked, for example, in a library or theater, it should remain quiet in a natural state. A single bark is not disruptive.
For more information on service dogs, visit the Americans With Disabilities Act page on Service Animals.
Learn more about our emotional support letter for companion pets at our FAQ page.