We regularly receive requests for guests to bring animals to the Aspen Square. While we do not accept pets, we do allow service animals. Below are some commonly asked questions regarding what constitutes a service animal.
Question 1: What is a service animal? Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person's disability.
Question 2: What does "do work or perform tasks" mean? The dog must be trained to take a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability. For example, a person with diabetes may have a dog that is trained to alert him/her when their blood sugar reaches high or low levels. A person with depression may have a dog that is trained to remind him/her to take their medication. Or, a person with epilepsy may have a dog that is trained to detect the onset of a seizure and then help the person remain safe during the seizure.
Question 3: Are emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals considered service animals under the ADA? No. These terms are used to describe animals that provide comfort just by being with a person. Because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. However, some state or local governments have laws that allow people to take emotional support animals into public places. You may check with your state and local government agencies to find out about these laws.
Question 4: Does the ADA require service animals to be professionally trained? No. People with disabilities have the right to train the dog themselves and are not required to use a professional service dog training program.
Question 5: Are service-animals-in-training considered service animals under the ADA? No. Under the ADA, the dog must already be trained before it can be taken into public places. However, some state or local laws cover animals that are still in training.