Service Animals / Animal Assistors 6/2010
What is a Service Animal?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.
Service Animals in places of business -
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) privately owned businesses that serve the public, such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, taxicabs, theaters, concert halls, and sports facilities, are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires these businesses to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed.
Get more information -
For more information about service animals go to United States Dept. of Justice http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm
For more information about hearing/service dogs go to: Canine Companions For Independence http://www.caninecompanions.org
For more information about guide dogs go to: Guide Dogs of America http://www.guidedogsofamerica.org