6.2.3 Identifying Service Animals

An individual with a service animal is not required to register the animal or have paperwork proving that the animal provides a service. A service animal is not required to wear a vest or other identifying items signaling that it is a service animal. Only two questions may be asked of an animal handler:

(1) Is this a service animal required because of a disability?

(2) What work or tasks is the animal trained to perform?

The ADA prohibits further inquiry into either the individual’s disability or other specifics regarding the animal that would necessarily reveal the nature or extent of the individual’s disability. The reason the law limits questioning to only these is to avoid discrimination on the basis of a disability and to avoid inquiries into protected information, such as medical conditions.

Disclaimer: The articles in the Gillis Long Desk Manual do not contain any legal advice.