Service Dogs
http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html
An excellent but not all inclusive description of tasks that
many PSDs do to mitigate people’s disabilities. It does not
specifically mention Bipolar Disorder, but many of the tasks
listed would be the same.
www.deltasociety.org
The Delta Society provides technical assistance about
service dogs. On this site you can get many of your
questions of various sorts answered.
http://psychiatricservicedogs.pbworks.com/ESA-vs-PSD
This is a good discussion of the differences between
Emotional Support Animals (not covered by the Americans
With Disabilities Act) and Psychiatric Service Dogs (covered
by ADA).
http://www.swdbtac.org/html/topical/aircarrier/aircarrier_servi
ceanimals.html
This is the revised regulation for flying with psychiatric
service dogs. Note that you are now required to provide
written documentation from your treating healthcare provider
and that you must inform the airline 48 hours in advance that
you will be flying with a PSD or ESA.
http://www.adata.org/
This site provides you with the contact information for the 10
regional ADA technical assistance centers around the
country.
If you have additional questions concerning the ADA and
service animals, please the number for the Department of
Justice’s ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (voice)
or(800) 514-0383 (TTY)
Here are a couple of different descriptions of the fact that
ADA does not require certification of service animals and
ADA supercedes (overrides) state laws if the state law is
more restrictive or limiting than the federal law:
How can I tell if an animal is really a service animal and
not just a pet?
A: Some, but not all, service animals wear special collars
and harnesses. Some, but not all, are licensed or certified
and have identification papers. If you are not certain that an
animal is a service animal, you may ask the person who has
the animal if it is a service animal required because of a
disability. However, an individual who is going to a
restaurant or theater is not likely to be carrying
documentation of his or her medical condition or disability.
Therefore, such documentation generally may not be
required as a condition for providing service to an individual
accompanied by a service animal. Although a number of
states have programs to certify service animals, you may not
insist on proof of state certification before permitting the
service animal to accompany the person with a disability.
QUESTIONS ABOUT SERVICE ANIMALS
What are the laws that apply to businesses?
Under the ADA, privately owned businesses that
serve the public, such as restaurants, hotels, retail
stores, taxicabs, theaters, concert halls and sports
facilities are prohibited from discriminating
against individuals with disabilities. The ADA
requires that businesses allow people with
disabilities to bring their service animals onto
business premises in whatever areas customers
are generally allowed.
What is a service animal?
The ADA defines a service animal as any guide
dog signal dog, or other animal individually
trained to provide assistance to an individual with
a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are
considered service animals under the ADA
regardless of whether they have been licensed or
certified by a state or local government. The ADA
takes priority over any county health department
or state or local laws regarding service animals.
How can one determine if an animal is really a
service animal and not just a pet?
Some, not all , service animals wear special
collars and harnesses. Some, but not all, are
licensed or certified and have identification
papers. If you are not certain that an animal is a
service animal, you may ask the person who has
the animal if it is a service animal required
because of a disability. Although a number of
states have programs to certify service animals,
you may not insist on proof of state certification
before permitting the service animal to accompany
the person with a disability.
*Certification*
According to the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, (ADA), the
certification of service animals is not required under
present federal law. Each state and each municipality of
each state may have its own statutes regarding service
animals, but again, federal law supercedes state law.
For example, Alabama has no current state laws
regarding service dogs or service dogs in training, while
New Mexico has state laws pertaining to service dogs
but no laws pertaining to service dogs in training, and
Nevada has state laws addressing both service dogs
and service dogs in training, requiring an identification
card for the dog in question. Some states require a
special vest for the dog and an identification card.
Other states require no type of identification
whatsoever. As you can see, there is still a lot of work
to be done as far as the standardization process is
concerned.