Health Tip: Service Animal Rights
(HealthDay News) -- Service animals, typically dogs, are trained to perform tasks for people with a disability.
These animals are generally allowed in any public area, including businesses and hospitals, says the U.S. Department of Justice.
The department mentions these rules that relate to service animals:
- Allergies or fear of dogs are not legal reasons for denying access to a person with a service animal.
- A service animal cannot be forced to leave unless it is out of control or not housebroken.
- Establishments that sell or prepare food must allow service animals.
- People with service animals cannot be isolated, treated poorly or charged a fee that's related to the animal.
- Staff are not required to provide care or food for a service animal.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, service animals must be leashed, harnessed or tethered, unless the device interferes with the animal's ability to work.
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