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LEGAL RESOURCES PAGE

This Resource Page is a database of information about laws, regulations and policies that can affect helping dogs.  The information on this website is not meant as legal advice: it is recommended that you consult an attorney at law with legal questions.

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SUMMARY

summary

This document summarizes information most likely to be useful to PHD clients. It identifies and defines relevant terms. Note that definitions and terms can vary between different laws, policies and regulations: common ones are identified and defined here. This document also summarizes  rights and responsibilities of helping dog teams and those individuals and entities with whom they interact. Readers are recommended to consult reference materials, including those below, and their legal professional. 

FEDERAL LAW

ADA definition of

disability

 

ADA Q & A about Service Animals

 

Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973 

 

ADA definition of

Service Animal 

 

ADA Q & A

(general information)

 

Assistance animals and housing

ADA definition of Service Animal (more detail)

 

ADA Title III summary

 

Fair housing laws - summary

 

ADA overview

 

Service Dog Rights:

Analysis 

 

The Fair Housing Act

 

STATE LAW

New Mexico Law -  2013 

Service Animals in state parks

CITY LAW

AIR TRAVEL

The Airline Carrier Access Act (ACAA) -- not the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) -- applies to air travel. Generally, the appropriate forms must be submitted electronically to your airline according to instructions, no later than 24-48 hours before your flight. Check the policy of your individual airline and plan ahead. 

 

IMPORTANT:

 

One or both of the U.S. Department of Air Transportation forms below must be presented (hard copy) at your gate. PHD recommends traveling with multiple printed copies, as well as a printed and signed copy of your dog's vaccination certificate.

While not required by law, PHD also recommends traveling with printed and electronic copies of your Service Dog  training documentation. An advantage of working with PHD is that we provide clients with detailed documentation of training and assessment from our certified professional dog trainer. 

SCHOOL POLICIES

New Mexico Tech policy on Service Animals

 

UNM policy on Service Animals & Assistance Animals 

 

Section 504 in public schools - a parent's guide

 

Antioch University policy on Service Dogs

Onaga, A. Requests for Service Animals: Developing Compliant School Policies, Procedures and Responses. LRP Publications.

MISC. RESOURCES

Ensminger, John J. (2010). Service and therapy dogs in American Society: Science, law and the evolution of canine caregivers.  Charles C Thomas Publisher, LTD. 

Service and Emotional Support Animals belonging to patrons and employees

 

Do's and don'ts (Service Dog etiquette and cultural humility)

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Last updated 3-23-23

This resource page is continuously updated; however, it is the user's responsibility to make sure that the information you are using is the most appropriate and accurate (up to date) for your needs.

 

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