Is It Kegal To Call A Doctors Office To Verify A Service Animals

A local Subway recently earned itself some bad publicity when an employee denied admission to a customer with a service domestic dog.

While this story involved a customer and not an employee, it did go me thinking well-nigh employee service dogs at work.

I created this handy FAQ on service dogs at piece of work for your reference.

Q1: What does the ADA say about service animals?

A1: Believe it or not, Title I of the ADA (the part of the law that covers employers and employees) is completely silent on the effect of service dogs. Thus, because Title I does not specifically address service animals, an employer should consider a asking from an employee to bring a service animal to work just like any other request for a reasonable accommodation. This means that employers must consider the request, merely exercise not have to automatically let employees to bring their service animals to work.

Q2: What types of service animals does the ADA comprehend?

A2: Only two species can ever qualify as service animals nether the ADA—dogs and miniature horses. That's it. Any other animal, even if trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, is not an animal for which the ADA requires the consideration of an accommodation.

Q3: How should employers procedure requests for service animals by employees?

A3: Because the ADA is silent on this event, a request to bring a service animal to piece of work is nada more than a request by an employee for an employer to modify its no-animals-in-the-workplace policy. If you have such a policy, youmustconsider modifying the policy on a request-by-request, case-by-case ground. If you don't take such a policy, and generally allow other employees to bring animals to work, so you lot should allow employees with disabilities to bring service animals.

Q4: Must an employer allow service animals upon request, or can it offer other accommodations?

A4: A disabled employee is entitled to areasonable accommodation, not his or herpreferred adaptation. Thus,ifin that location exists another reasonable accommodation (other than an exception to your no-animals policy) that volition enable the employee to perform the essential functions of his or her chore, and so yous can offer that accommodation in lieu of permitting a service creature. That said, because of the personal nature of a service animal, you should be prepared for the possibility that information technology might be theonly reasonable accommodation in many instances.

Q5: What kind of documentation tin can an employer seek from an employee in support of the request for a service beast at work?

A5: When an employee with a disability requests the employ of a service animal at work, the ADA grants the right to an employer to request medical documentation to support the need for the accommodation (if the demand is not otherwise obvious; a blind employee should non need to prove the need for a seeing center dog). Also, an employer has the right to request proof that the service animal is appropriately trained and volition non disrupt the workplace.

Q6: Can you lot crave proof of certifications, vaccinations, or insurance coverage?

A6: I would. Before being permitted to bring animals to work, owners (fifty-fifty those with disabilities and service animals) should verify that vaccinations are upwardly to date, that the animal licensed and free of parasites and insects, and on regularly scheduled flea and tick preventatives. An employee should verify, in writing, sufficient homeowners' or renters' insurance to cover any damage to person or property caused by the animal. You lot could also consider indemnification in instance your business gets sued, and a written paycheck deduction authorization for any damage caused (only I wonder if this could pitter-patter into the realm of discrimination or retaliation if y'all don't crave the same of other employees in similar circumstances.)

Q7: Tin can I agree the animal to sure workplace standards?

A7: Absolutely. I have no issues with requiring that all service animals be "role broken." Animals with any bite history should not exist permitted. Moreover, any aggressive behavior, such as growling, barking, chasing, or biting, should result in the animal'southward expulsion on the offset complaint. Animals should as well be house broken, friendly towards people and other animals, and not protective of their owners or their owners' spaces. Finally, you should ascertain when animals must be leashed or otherwise restrained.

Q8: Tin can an employer deny a request if certain areas are off limits, or to accommodation other employees with certain animal allergies or phobias?

A8: No. If sure areas are off limits, for example, because of safety or other reasons, you lot but set up rules and limits keeping the animal out of those areas. It's non a reason to deny a asking outright. Similarly, when you accept When y'all have two people with disabilities, y'all don't treat ane equally more of import than the other. Instead, you work out a residue betwixt each's needs and accommodations.

Q9: How you handle a service creature's bathroom needs?

A9: Designate a specific surface area outside for animals to become to the bath (preferably away from the entrances), and make sure pet owners empathise that information technology is their responsibleness (and only their responsibility) to clean up messes outside and accidents inside. You lot may, however, accept to considering altering an employee's interruption time(s), or providing additional breaks, to let the disabled employee to intendance for the needs of his or her service creature.

Q10: What about emotional back up animals, and other animals not classified every bit "service" animals?

A10: Emotional support animals, condolement animals, and therapy dogs are not service animals under the ADA. Thus, you have no duty to arrange these requests.

These are not easy issues to work through. My recommendation is that you work with your employment counsel if you receive an accommodation request for a service animal from an employee.