Quote:
Originally Posted by deafaussie
Certification, there is NO SUCH A THING AS CERTIFICATIONS. ADA law states that no one are allowed to ask owner if the 'animal' is actually a trained service animal. You are obligated not to answer to their questions and refer them to read in ADA law.
It is imperative to train your dog first.
Good luck
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That's not exactly what the ADA states. It states that the public places cannot ask for proof of disability, and since there are no certifications yet for service/hearing/guide dogs, they cannot demand proof of training. However, the dog must be well-mannered, behave appropriately in public places, and provide a needed service to alleviate a functional impairment.
2. 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. Guide 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.
A service animal is not a pet.
3. 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.
People can buy vests online and have their dog wear it, but if the dog misbehaves (sniffing others or store items, begs for food, barks, etc) the owner of the establishment has the right to refuse entry. Plus, those people who "cheat" and try to bring a non-trained "pet" claiming it's a service dog jeopardize the rights and priveleges of those of us with trained, well-behaved helpers.