• OneBeaconGov.com
    • Risk Management
    • Claims
    • Products and Coverages
    • News and Events
    • Resources
    • Contact Us

In the Know | OBGR Blog

0

Risk Management · Risk Management Tips · Tips

Risk Management: Service Animals

  • by Laura Peterson
  • August 21, 2017

Service animals are dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. By law, under the Americans with Disabilities Act Titles II and III, service animals have the right to be in any public space. Therefore, public entities including State and local government agencies, businesses and non-profit organizations must make reasonable modifications in their policies, practices and procedures to accommodate and allow service dogs in their facilities. (U.S. Department of Justice, 2015)

It’s important to note that under the ADA, support, therapy, comfort and companion animals are not considered service animals. However, some states and local governments have laws allowing emotional support animals into public places. It is important to check with your local agencies to determine the correct laws.

Below is a list of frequently asked questions that are beneficial for all staff to be aware of.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I ask if a visitor’s animal is a legitimate service animal?

  • No. Asking a service animal’s handler if their dog is legitimate is against the law. Legally, you can ask the following (2) questions: Does your dog provide a service? What is your dog trained to do? Staff is also not allowed to request documentation for the dog, require the dog to demonstrate its task or inquire about the handler’s disability.

Are they legally allowed here?

  • Yes. By law service animals have the right to be in any public space.

What can I do if the service animal is misbehaving?

  • Legally, the service animal must be under the handler’s control at all times. If the service animal is misbehaving or causing a disruption, it can legally be removed from an establishment.

Can I pet the service animal?

  • No. Service animals are working animals and distracting them could put their handler or even yourself in danger.

What kind of service animals are allowed?

  • Dogs of any size or breed. It’s illegal to ban specific breeds. Only if the animal has a history of behavior that poses a threat to the health and safety of others can staff exclude the animal from access to the facility. However, goods and services must still be offered to the handler without the animal present. Banning an animal based on fears and generalizations about the breed is not allowed.

Does the service animal need certifications or identification?

  • No. They are not legally required to wear any type of vest or badge and there is no national registry or certification required.

Does the service animal need to be leashed?

  • Yes, unless the leash interferes with the specific task the service animal was trained for. An example of a service animal off the leash includes a veteran with PTSD who may need a dog to enter an unfamiliar space first to check for threats.

Do service animals have licensing and vaccination requirements?

  • Yes. Service animals are not exempt from local animal control or public health requirements.

What’s the difference between a service dog, emotional support dog and therapy dog?

  • Great question! Check out this great infographic created by Orvis which explains the differences and differences in answers for some of the above FAQs.

For more information on service animals, visit:

  • The Americans with Disabilities Act: Service Animals
  • The ADA National Network: Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Tags: infographicOBGRpublic entitypublic entity risk controlpublic entity risk managementrisk controlrisk managementsafety tipsTips

  • Previous story Denver OneBeacon Office Hosts Drive for the Humane Society of the South Platte Valley
  • Next story Risk Management: Safety Tips for Hayrides

    Related Posts

  • Election 2016: Ensure your Polling Places ADA Compliant
  • Kenny Smith’s Article Published in Public Risk Magazine
  • Kenny Smith’s Article Published in August Edition of Public Risk Magazine
  • The Most Distracted Driver in your Community

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL


  • Categories

    • Agents & Brokers (3)
    • Claims Tips (6)
    • Conferences & Events (53)
    • FirstFire Services (3)
    • Industry News (32)
    • Risk Management (52)
    • Risk Management Tips (54)
    • Safety Tips (27)
    • Tips (60)
    • What's New at OBGR (40)
  • ABOUT

    We provide custom insurance solutions for midsized municipalities, counties and special districts including water and sanitation, non-rail transit authorities and other publicly-funded agencies. This blog covers our company's news and events and provides safety and risk management tips.
  • SEARCH IN THE KNOW BLOG

  • RECENT POSTS

    • SAFE and SOUND
    • Does Your Fire Department Have an Exposure to AFFF?
    • Social Media in the Fire Service
    • Battling Harassment and Discrimination in the Public Sector
    • Fire Vehicle Accident Statistics
  • TWITTER

    Tweets by @OneBeaconGov
  • Contact Us

    OneBeacon Government Risks
    866.971.OBGR (6247) x 3832
    GovernmentRisks@onebeacon.com
  • Training

    We know our stuff. If you are interested in taking advantage of our expert knowledge, check out our risk management page or take advantage of the courses available through our online training center.
  • Follow Us

       

©2017 OneBeacon Government Risks, A member of OneBeacon Insurance Group. Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Producer Compensation Disclosure