Going on Vacation With Service Animals
Individuals with disabilities who own service animals to assist them with everyday activities undoubtedly face challenges, but going on vacation should not be one of them. Service animals (the accepted term for animals trained to help people with disabilities) are not pets and thus are not subject to many of the laws or policies pertaining to pets.
The Americans With Disabilities Act (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.” ADA regulations stipulate that public accommodations are required to modify policies, practices and procedures to permit the use of a service animal by an individual with a disability.
The purpose of these regulations is to provide equal access opportunities for people with disabilities and to ensure that they are not separated from their service animals. A tow truck operator, for example, must allow a service animal to ride in the truck with her owner rather than in the towed vehicle.
Public accommodations, such as stores or restaurants, may charge a fee or deposit to an individual who has a disability — provided that fee or deposit is required of all customers — but no fees or deposits may be charged for the service animal, even those normally charged for pets.
The handler/owner is responsible for the animal's care and behavior throughout the trip; if the dog creates an altercation or poses a direct threat, the handler may be required to remove it from the premises and pay for any resulting damages.
Pet Partners, an organization devoted to companion and service animals, has information about laws that affect people and service animals in public accommodations. Phone (425) 679-5500 for more information, or visit www.petpartners.org.