Resources MASSACHUSETTS This publication provides OFFICE ON DISABILITY succinct guidance on service animals in places that are open to the public. “Full and equal participation in all aspects of life by Further reading from the persons with disabilities” U.S. Department of Justice: ADA Requirements, Service Animals Service Animals https://www.ada.gov/ and service_animals_2010.htm Public Accommodations Frequently Asked Questions in Massachusetts about Service Animals and the ADA MASSACHUSETTS https://www.ada.gov/ OFFICE ON DISABILITY regs2010/ service_animal_qa.html ADA Business BRIEF: Massachusetts Service Animals Office on Disability https://www.ada.gov/ One Ashburton Place svcanimb.htm Room 1305 Boston, MA 02148 Phone: 617-727-7440 Fax: 617-727-0965 Web: mass.gov/mod Tel: 617-727-7440 @MassDisability Charles D. Baker, Governor Karyn E. Polito, Lieutenant Governor blog.mass.gov/mod David D’Arcangelo, Director What is a service animal? What about “certification”? Rights & Responsibilities Only dogs meet the definition Service animals are not Service animals: of service animal under the required to possess any Americans with Disabilities Act certification or identification, nor Are permitted to go (ADA) with the exception of are service animals required to wherever their handler is miniature horses. sport a particular vest or badge. permitted to go. Although there are rigorous, Are allowed even if others A service animal is a dog or formal service animal training have fears of or allergies to miniature horse that has been programs, Americans with dogs. disabilities have the right to individually trained to train their animal themselves. Must be under the handler’s perform a task or service to control at all times. In most assist a person with a An individual with a disability cases this means on a disability. accompanied by a service harness or leash. animal may not be asked to Examples of services: Guiding provide documentation of a Must be housebroken. a person who is blind, alerting disability, to answer questions a person who is deaf, regarding his or her disability, May not pose a legitimate, interrupting a compulsive or to have the service animal direct threat to health or behavior, retrieving objects, demonstrate its work. safety. etc. Only when the individual’s Do not have to be allowed to Animals whose sole function is disability is not obvious, staff sit on furniture meant for to provide comfort or emotional may ask the following two patrons or to eat from plates support are not service questions: provided by a food service animals but may have to be establishment. allowed in the housing context. 1. Is the animal a service animal required because of a In Massachusetts, service disability? animals in training have the same status as fully trained 2. What task or service is the service animals. animal trained to perform? The law requires staff to take the individual at their word. .