The definition
The ADA's definition covers dogs (a separate provision covers miniature horses). The dog must be individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disabilities. The dog's task must be directly related to the person's disability. Providing comfort or emotional support alone does not qualify.
The two questions
When it isn't obvious what service an animal provides, staff at a business may ask only:
- Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
Staff may not ask about your disability, require medical documentation, require a special ID or training certificate, or ask the dog to demonstrate its task.
When a dog can be asked to leave
- The dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it
- The dog is not housebroken
Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons to deny access. A business may exclude a dog that is behaving disruptively, such as barking repeatedly or lunging, but must still offer its goods and services to the person without the dog.
Handler responsibilities
- Keep the dog under control, usually on a harness, leash or tether unless that interferes with the dog's work or the disability prevents it (then voice or signal control)
- Care for and supervise the dog, including toileting and cleanup
- Pay for any damage the dog causes, as with any customer
Where the rules are different
| Setting | What to know |
|---|---|
| Restaurants, stores, hotels, public services | ADA Titles II and III apply: service dogs are generally welcome wherever customers can go. |
| Housing | The Fair Housing Act has a broader 'assistance animal' concept that can include some emotional support animals, with its own documentation process. Landlords generally can't charge pet fees for assistance animals. |
| Air travel | The U.S. Department of Transportation recognizes only dogs as service animals on flights and allows airlines to require forms. Emotional support animals are treated as pets. |
| Workplaces | Employment falls under ADA Title I, which works through reasonable accommodation requests rather than the public access rules. |
| Pennsylvania | State law generally tracks federal rules, and Pennsylvania has a statute addressing misrepresenting an animal as a service or assistance animal in housing contexts. Check current text with the state or an attorney. |
Official sources
- ADA.gov: Service animals FAQThe Department of Justice's plain-language answers.
- U.S. DOT: Service animals on flightsAir travel rules and required forms.
- Disability Rights PennsylvaniaLegal advocacy and information for Pennsylvanians with disabilities.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
ADA FAQs
Do I need a vest?
Are online service dog 'registries' legitimate?
Can a service dog be any breed?
Request a free service dog trainer referral.
Tell us about you and your dog. If you'd like, we'll pass your request to independent trainers and programs serving the Lehigh Valley who may be able to help. It's free, and there's no obligation to hire anyone.
- Free to request, no obligation
- Independent trainers, not affiliated with this site
- Covers owner-training coaching, public access and task training
- We never charge you for a referral