Accessibility (ADA Accessibility) is the idea that people should have equal access to the same programs, services, and areas regardless of their abilities. Making things accessible for people with disabilities means making it easier for them to use and access buildings, transportation, and information. It helps them to live more independently and participate fully in society. We believe everyone deserves equal access to information and resources. Stay tuned for helpful tips and empowering stories that highlight accessible resources.
Service Pet Peeves: Know Your Rights to Access Public Spaces with Your Service Animal
“No pets are allowed in this store. We are going to ask you need to leave.”
“I know it says not to pet your service animal, but I just could not help myself.”
Individuals who need a service animal frequently run into situations where they must use their voices to advocate for their rights. The phrases above are just a few examples of what individuals who have a service animal may face daily when they go out in public.
First, it is important to define what a service animal is, so the community is aware of the specific tasks service animals provide and why they are legally required by federal law to have full public access. A service animal is a task-trained animal that is specifically for an individual who has a disability. A service animal must be trained to help mitigate limitations the individual may have due to a disability. Some examples of different service animals include guide dogs, hearing assistant dogs, medical alert and response dogs, mobility and assistance dogs, psychiatric dogs and so many more.
An important distinction to make is that service animals are different than emotional support animals (ESA). Emotional support animals provide great comfort to those who have a disability but are not specifically task-trained to help alleviate limitations that are caused by a disability. ESA are legally allowed to stay in housing developments without being charged a pet fee but do not have public access rights. Sometimes, there is some confusion about the difference between a psychiatric service dog and an ESA dog. For example, an individual with a mental health disability may utilize an ESA at home to provide comfort and companionship. In comparison, a psychiatric service dog has been specifically trained to provide a task to alleviate or alert to symptoms relating to a mental health disability. This may look like providing deep pressure, retrieving medication, alerting the owner to a panic attack, or going to get someone else to help the individual.
A service animal is also not a pet so rules about pets in public places such as restaurants do not apply to service animals. A service animal is always typically with their owner because frequently it is unsafe if they do not have their service animal with them.
So, what do you do if you are a person who utilizes a service animal or see discrimination occurring in public to a service dog team?
You can use your voice to help educate others and ensure accessibility is given to service dog teams. Here are a few suggestions of what this might look like:
- You can remind the business owner of what a service dog is and how it is different than a pet.
- You can reference the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) to inform others the legal obligations of the community when assisting an individual with a service animal.
- You can remind others the two questions they are legally allowed to ask about the service animal.
- Is the service animal required because of a disability?
- What tasks has the dog been trained to do?
- You can inform others the difference between service animals and ESA dogs.
- If you see discrimination occurring, speak up and remind others the legal rights of service dogs.
- You can respect a working dog in public by not distracting it from work by petting it or making noises. It can be very dangerous if a service dog is distracted from their owner because they can miss a medical episode.
- As tempting as it may be, it is important to not pet service dogs in public and train younger individuals to not pet working animals.
- Reframe from taking pets to non-pet friendly places because it can be a distraction for service dogs and can cause further discrimination for individuals that require service dogs.
- Remember that all disabilities are not visible so an individual may have an invisible disability that requires them to have a service dog.
- Be respectful about asking questions about the reasons someone needs a service animal. Just like you like to keep some health information private, many individuals with disabilities may prefer to not openly discuss their disability.
Your voice matters especially when advocating for service dog teams. Advocating allows our community to be more accessible and welcoming. Being an advocate in the disability community, may look differently for everyone. Every voice matters and makes our community a better place. Always feel free to reach out to us if you have any specific questions regarding service animals. Call Pathfinder at 1-800-640-4636.
Service Animals are trusted companions providing support, independence, and safety to individuals livingwith disabilities. In honor of National Service Dog Month and National Guide Dog Month.