Your ADA rights, how service animals differ from ESAs, what businesses can and cannot ask, and training resources.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is a dog (or miniature horse) that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.
Key Legal Points
Under the ADA, service animals must be allowed anywhere the public is allowed.
Housing: covered by Fair Housing Act (stricter than ADA — also covers ESAs). Air travel: DOT Air Carrier Access Act (airlines can require forms for service animals).
✓ Two Questions They CAN Ask
✗ What They CANNOT Do
A business CAN ask the dog to leave if it is out of control or not housebroken.
Guide work
Navigating for people with visual impairments
Alerting
Alerting deaf/hard-of-hearing to sounds
Seizure response
Alerting before a seizure, staying with the person, or getting help
Psychiatric tasks
Interrupting self-harm behaviors, reminding to take medication
Mobility assistance
Pulling a wheelchair, helping with balance
Diabetic alert
Detecting dangerous blood sugar changes
Allergen detection
Sniffing out life-threatening allergens
Autism support
Preventing a child from running into traffic, calming during meltdowns
There is no federal requirement to use a professional trainer — owners can train their own service dogs. However, the dog must reliably perform the task and behave in public.
If a business or housing provider violates your ADA rights, you can file a complaint at no cost.