LEGAL RESOURCES PAGE
This Resource Page is a database of information about laws, regulations and policies that can affect helping dogs.
Questions should be directed to an attorney at law: the information on this website is not meant as legal advice. The author of this website and/or Pets and Helping Dogs is not liable for use or misuse of website content.
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SUMMARY
summary
This document summarizes information most likely to be useful to PHD clients. It identifies and defines relevant terms. Note that definitions and terms can vary between different laws, policies and regulations: common ones are identified and defined here. This document also summarizes rights and responsibilities of helping dog teams and those individuals and entities with whom they interact. Readers are recommended to consult reference materials, including those below, and their legal professional.
FEDERAL LAW
ADA definition of
disability
ADA Q & A about Service Animals
Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973
ADA definition of
Service Animal
ADA Q & A
(general information)
Assistance animals and housing
ADA definition of Service Animal (more detail)
ADA Title III summary
Fair housing laws - summary
ADA overview
Service Dog Rights:
Analysis
STATE LAW
New Mexico Law - 2013
Service Animals in state parks
CITY LAW
AIR TRAVEL
The Airline Carrier Access Act (ACAA) -- not the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) -- applies to air travel. Generally, the appropriate forms must be submitted electronically to your airline according to instructions, no later than 24-48 hours before your flight. Check the policy of your individual airline and plan ahead.
IMPORTANT:
One or both of the U.S. Department of Air Transportation forms below must be presented (hard copy) at your gate. PHD recommends traveling with multiple printed copies, as well as a printed and signed copy of your dog's vaccination certificate.
While not required by law, PHD also recommends traveling with printed and electronic copies of your Service Dog training documentation. An advantage of working with PHD is that we provide clients with detailed documentation of training and assessment from our certified professional dog trainer.
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Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) Description: Note there is currently language here (as of 7-14-21) that does not seem to have been updated in accordance with the ACAA Revised.
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Southwest Airlines - traveling with a trained Service Animal
SCHOOL POLICIES
New Mexico Tech policy on Service Animals
UNM policy on Service Animals & Assistance Animals
Section 504 in public schools - a parent's guide
Antioch University policy on Service Dogs
Onaga, A. Requests for Service Animals: Developing Compliant School Policies, Procedures and Responses. LRP Publications.
MISC. RESOURCES
Ensminger, John J. (2010). Service and therapy dogs in American Society: Science, law and the evolution of canine caregivers. Charles C Thomas Publisher, LTD.
Service and Emotional Support Animals belonging to patrons and employees
Do's and don'ts (Service Dog etiquette and cultural humility)
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