Service Dog Certification California Law

May not require documentation or proof of certification or licensing.

Service dog certification california law. It is essential for every service dog handler to understand what their legal rights are and how to exercise them. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Once you fulfill all state and federal regulations you and your service animal will be protected under state law. Several different california laws set out the rights of people with disabilities who use animals to assist them.

The dog s trainer or handler is required to teach that animal to recognize. First it is limited to dogs. Generally title ii and title iii entities must permit service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas where members of the public are allowed to go. Service animals where this means any dog that is individually trained to do.

However the appeals court acknowledged the disabled persons act extends to service animals that are still in training. California law allows persons with disabilities to bring trained service dogs and psychiatric service dogs but not emotional support animals to all public places. 35 136 f 2010. Although service animal identification tags or vests are not mandatory in california if you use a service dog you are encouraged to obtain an identification tag verifying that your dog meets certain explicit requirements.

Service dog owners are afforded special rights and protections under the americans with disabilities act ada. A service dog under california law is a dog trained to help a specific individual with a disability with services such as fetching dropped items minimal protection work rescue work or pulling a wheelchair. There are two important things to note about the california s definition of service dogs. This canine is considered a psychiatric service animal and must perform tasks that are identifiable and directly related to an individual s diagnosed psychiatric disability.

California state law csl service animals are allowed in dining and sales areas not used for food. How service animal is defined. It is also important for staff members at establishments such as restaurants stores hotels schools and other public locations to understand how they can properly. A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.

California service dog law doesn t have a separate definition for psychiatric service dog but a dog that is individually trained to help a person with a mental disability with specific requirements is considered a service dog and an individual that uses such a dog is entitled to the same rights under the law as someone with a physical.