Can someone clarify?

[mike001]

I was wondering if someone could clarify the definition of a serviice dog?

[borzoimom]

I was wondering if someone could clarify the definition of a serviice dog?
A service dog, or assitance dog- depending on the terms, the dog is a service/assistance to the owner. Could be to stand up, or retrieve things, or even detect seizures and even mental disorders.
This is an actual job- either trained for it, or in the case of mental disorders or seizures, the dog has a natural gift for it..

[mike001]

I've been seeing more and more stuff on this, but it seems like an assistance dog is for one thing, a service dog for something else. I know what a guide dog or hearing dog is so the other ones seem new to me. Hard to understand exactly since opinions are so varied. I'm trying to get our bookstore to order a book that explains this but no one seems to have anything but guide dog books. Maybe our local chapter for guide dogs would know what it's all about, I never thought of them till now. Thanks though borzoid. :)

[borzoimom]

I've been seeing more and more stuff on this, but it seems like an assistance dog is for one thing, a service dog for something else. I know what a guide dog or hearing dog is so the other ones seem new to me. Hard to understand exactly since opinions are so varied. I'm trying to get our bookstore to order a book that explains this but no one seems to have anything but guide dog books. Maybe our local chapter for guide dogs would know what it's all about, I never thought of them till now. Thanks though borzoid. :)
There are 3 basic levels of dogs in this area- service dogs, assitance dogs, and therapy dogs.. Assistance is like a physical assistance ( think of it that way- like helps the person get up, or retrieve things for the owner) ,-a service dog is like for the non obvious ( could be seizures or panic attacks , even heart attacks etc ..) and usually a gift within the dog , -and therapy dogs offer NO ASSISTANCE, service is by the gift of the dog ( like zubin and the situations I have said) but really the dog is there to see patients ...
Assistantance dogs, and service dogs live with the person they are performing for- where as a therapy dog doesnt..

[DrKym]

28 CFR 36.104 - Definition of Service Animal
Revised to read:
Assistance animal means an assistance dog, and may include other animals specifically trained to perform physical tasks to mitigate an individual's disability. Assistance dogs include: guide dogs that guide individuals who are legally blind; hearing dogs that alert individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to specific sounds; and, service dogs for individuals with disabilities other than blindness or deafness. Service dogs are trained to perform a variety of physical tasks including but not limited to pulling a wheelchair, lending balance support, picking up dropped objects or providing assistance in a medical crisis. The presence of an animal for comfort, protection or personal defense does not qualify an animal as being trained to mitigate an individual's disability and therefore does not qualify said animal as an assistance animal.

Q: What is a service animal?

A: The 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 perform some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself. "Seeing eye dogs" are one type of service animal, used by some individuals who are blind. This is the type of service animal with which most people are familiar. But there are service animals that assist persons with other kinds of disabilities in their day-to-day activities. Some examples include:

_____Alerting persons with hearing impairments to sounds.

_____ Pulling wheelchairs or carrying and picking up things for persons with mobility impairments.

_____Assisting persons with mobility impairments with balance.

Q: How can I tell if an animal is really a service animal and not just a pet?

A: Some, but not all, service animals wear special collars and harnesses. Some, but not all, are licensed or certified and have identification papers. If you are not certain that an animal is a service animal, you may ask the person who has the animal if it is a service animal required because of a disability. However, an individual who is going to a restaurant or theater is not likely to be carrying documentation of his or her medical condition or disability. Therefore, such documentation generally may not be required as a condition for providing service to an individual accompanied by a service animal. Although a number of states have programs to certify service animals, you may not insist on proof of state certification before permitting the service animal to accompany the person with a disability


Hope that clears up any confusion
Kym

[borzoimom]

Thank you Kym- I was looking for that... ;)

[DrKym]

Q: What must I do when an individual with a service animal comes to my business?

A: The service animal must be permitted to accompany the individual with a disability to all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. An individual with a service animal may not be segregated from other customers.

Q: I have always had a clearly posted "no pets" policy at my establishment. Do I still have to allow service animals in?

A: Yes. A service animal is not a pet. The ADA requires you to modify your "no pets" policy to allow the use of a service animal by a person with a disability. This does not mean you must abandon your "no pets" policy altogether but simply that you must make an exception to your general rule for service animals.

Q: My county health department has told me that only a seeing eye or guide dog has to be admitted. If I follow those regulations, am I violating the ADA?

A: Yes, if you refuse to admit any other type of service animal on the basis of local health department regulations or other state or local laws. The ADA provides greater protection for individuals with disabilities and so it takes priority over the local or state laws or regulations.

Q: Can I charge a maintenance or cleaning fee for customers who bring service animals into my business?

A: No. Neither a deposit nor a surcharge may be imposed on an individual with a disability as a condition to allowing a service animal to accompany the individual with a disability, even if deposits are routinely required for pets. However, a public accommodation may charge its customers with disabilities if a service animal causes damage so long as it is the regular practice of the entity to charge non-disabled customers for the same types of damages. For example, a hotel can charge a guest with a disability for the cost of repairing or cleaning furniture damaged by a service animal if it is the hotel's policy to charge when non-disabled guests cause such damage.

Q: I operate a private taxicab and I don't want animals in my taxi; they smell, shed hair and sometimes have "accidents." Am I violating the ADA if I refuse to pick up someone with a service animal?

A: Yes. Taxicab companies may not refuse to provide services to individuals with disabilities. Private taxicab companies are also prohibited from charging higher fares or fees for transporting individuals with disabilities and their service animals than they charge to other persons for the same or equivalent service.


Just a few more clarifications, in case anyone gets confused.