-
Letting the Dogs In: How to Tell a Service Animal from a Health Hazard
Story by Rebecca Lightle Hospitality establishments nationwide are seeing more patrons accompanied by furry friends. This trend presents special challenges for the food-service industry. Restaurants must generally follow local health rules that prohibit animals on the premises. But the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title III, requires places of public accommodation – such as restaurants – to admit “service animals” who assist individuals with disabilities and who meet behavior standards, including in buffet lines or communal food-preparation areas. Only dogs are considered “service animals” under the ADA (although many of the law’s protections also apply to miniature horses). To qualify as a service animal, a dog must be individually trained to…