The Department of Justice issued revised ADA regulations which cover Title II (state and local government programs) and Title III (places of public accommodation, such as restaurants or retail merchants) , which took effect March 15, 2011. These regulations revise the definition of service animal and add additional provisions.
A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.
The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to:
• Assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks. • Alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds. • Providing non-violent protection or rescue work. • Pulling a wheelchair. • Assisting an individual during a seizure. • Alerting individuals to the presence of allergens. • Retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone. • Providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities. • Helping individuals with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors.
The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship are not considered work or tasks under the definition of a service animal.
Emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship animals will not be admitted into the event and no refunds for such will be provided.
Download the ADA Service Animal Regulations Document here: