Service Dog Requirements Ca

As with the letter to get california state certification the letter does not need to state your specific disability.

Service dog requirements ca. The ada prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment state and local government public accommodations commercial facilities transportation and telecommunications. However it is highly recommended. If you are interested in having a service dog below are requirements to be aware of. Ada service dog rules do not require that service dog owners use a professional trainer.

The sole documentation that proves your dog meets national and california state requirements for a service animal is a doctor s letter stating you need a service animal. A person is eligible for a service dog if they have a physical emotional or mental disability a service dog must be well mannered at all times. The state does not limit the dog s size or breed but the handler is liable for any damage done by the service animal. Under the americans with disabilities act ada businesses and organizations that serve the public must allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals into all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go.

For the dog to be certified as one of these dogs they either need to have been trained from an accredited service dog training establishment and or pass a public safety test. In order to make your dog a service dog you do not need to complete any specific training program. To obtain an identification tag your service dog must meet certain explicit requirements in training to be considered legitimate. Identification requirements for service dogs in california it is not mandatory in california to have an identification tag or vest on your service dog.

Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ada. However in california pretending to be an owner of a service dog is a criminal misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to 1 000 and or up to. Service dog handlers are allowed to train their dog themselves without the help of a professional trainer or training program. People using assistance dogs in california must have their dog on a leash or harness and should have an official identification tag.

A service dog is not required to be registered certified or identified as a service dog. Under the ada service animals must be harnessed leashed or tethered unless the individual s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal s safe effective performance of tasks.