ADA Service Animal Information
General information about service animal access under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This page is educational and is not legal advice.
What a service animal is under the ADA
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. The work or tasks must be directly related to the person's disability. This definition is set by law — not by any registry, directory or identification provider.
Where service animals may generally go
Service animals are generally permitted to accompany people with disabilities in the areas of a business or public entity where members of the public are normally allowed to go. Reasonable, ADA-permitted limits still apply.
What staff may ask
When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, staff may ask only the limited questions permitted under the ADA. Staff may not ask about a person's disability, request medical documentation, or require proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal.
When a service animal may be excluded
A service animal may be asked to leave in circumstances permitted under the ADA — for example, if the animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, or if the animal is not housebroken.
What this registry does and does not do
This platform creates a private identification and registration record based on information declared by the handler. Registration is voluntary. It is not required by law, it is not a government or federal registration, and it does not determine whether a dog legally qualifies as a service animal. Businesses are not legally required to accept an identification card, and obtaining a card does not change an animal's legal status.
Keeping this information current
Legal requirements can change. For authoritative information about service animals under the ADA, refer to ada.gov.
Registration and identification products are voluntary. Under the ADA, businesses cannot require documentation as a condition of entry, and no registry can certify a service animal. Many handlers still choose an ID for convenience and quicker, calmer interactions.