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Service Dog Rules for Staying in Hotels
Service dogs’ access rights to hotels are part of the public access rights bestowed on service dogs and their handlers under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means they cannot be treated as pets and can generally go wherever their handlers can at no additional cost. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop certain hotels and staff from infringing on these rights. The following information is a thorough overview of the main points to know about service dogs and hotels.
Can hotels charge for a service dog?
No. Under the ADA, the hotel cannot charge an extra fee for the service animal as they would a client with a pet. This also means you and your dog will be allowed in public areas of the hotel, as well as to a room and floors not normally designated for people traveling with pets.
What to expect from hotels and service dogs
Verification questions: When traveling with a service animal, according to the ADA, the hotel staff only has the right to ask you two questions:
- Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
If the task is apparent (seeing-eye dog, wheelchair-related), the staff has no right to inquire about the service dog or your disability. When dealing with ignorant hotel staff members, presenting your service dog certification and identification card can help alleviate tension. Remember, the staff members are only employees and might not be properly trained in dealing with service animals in the hotel. Keep in mind, however, that under the ADA hotel staff cannot insist on seeing documents as a condition of entry.
In addition, the hotel staff still has to act according to the rules of conduct the general public should adhere to concerning a service dog. These include:
- No petting the dog
- No speaking to, teasing, or distracting the dog
- No feeding the dog or interfering with its work
The staff is also not required to help you perform any tasks related to the service dog, such as taking it out to relieve itself, feeding it, handling it, etc.
Following the rules of the hotel
Under the ADA, persons with disabilities have several rights. However, you will still be expected to follow the rules of the hotel as they are set forth for all their visiting clients.
Your service dog must be under your control at all times, whether this is by means of a leash, hand gestures, or voice control. Your dog cannot become unruly. In addition, if your service dog were to damage anything in the hotel room, you are still liable for the cost of those damages.
Staying at an Airbnb with your service dog
With Airbnb as a popular hotel alternative among travelers, the application of the ADA is crucial. Airbnb hosts in the United States must allow service animals if they rent out the entire home or apartment to an Airbnb guest. Airbnb’s nondiscrimination policy requires hosts to allow all service animals into their homes. Please research your specific destination before booking an Airbnb that you plan on staying at with your service dog.
The history of service dogs under the ADA
The ADA was established in 1990 and was put into place to prevent establishments from discriminating against people with physical or mental disabilities, extending the protections to any companion that may accompany them for support. Over time, “companions” began referring less to humans and more to members of the animal kingdom. Many people used this policy to treat exotic pets, such as reptiles, ferrets, pigs, and parrots, as “service animals.”
To stop people from taking advantage of the intended scope of the ADA, amendments have been made to these rules. These changes state that only dogs are considered as service animals.
Order your Service Dog ID
Service Dog Identification
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Distinguish your Service Dog from a Pet
Many hotels have policies against pets, but service dogs are not pets. An ID can help distinguish your service dog from a pet, ensuring you get access to your room and other hotel facilities without hassle.
Under the ADA, hotels can’t require documentation for service dogs, but having an ID card can simplify interactions with hotel staff who may not be familiar with service dog laws.
Remember, while ID cards, certificates and other documents can be helpful, they do not convey any rights under the ADA.
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About the Author: The writing team at Service Dog Certifications is made up of folks who really know their stuff when it comes to disability laws and assistance animals. Many of our writers and editors have service dogs themselves and share insights from their own experiences. All of us have a passion for disability rights and animals.
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I am multi-handicapped, 70 years old, and have an older service dog (14 years old miniature poodle) who still assists me with my serious sleep apnea conditions (she will nudge me forcefully and bark if I stop breathing or snore too loudly for long periods) . I have an official handicapped card from the NJ DMV for my mobility handicaps due to my twp hip replacements and leg fracture repairs. I have never had to stay in a hotel with her in the past, but my wife and I will need to bring her with us for a few nights in some hotels. I looked online and the ones we need to stay in state that are not “pet friendly”. Of course, after being with her for close to 14 years, she is a both a “pet” and a service dog), but we are concerned that a hotel may not accept her even if we have her registration card and I can show my handicapped card. What happens if a hotel says no once we get there?
Hotels must accommodate handlers who can validate that their dog is a service animal. They can only deny entry if they have a legitimate reason. For example, if the dog is not under control or demonstrating aggressive behavior towards others.
What if the owner of the dog states that this is a service dog, and never provides any documentation (because they don’t have to, and we cannot ask for that). The dog is unattended in the room and barking for hours and disturbs other guests. Can we ask for documentation? Can we have the dog removed by pet control (this is in our pet policy). Can we charge the guest full pet fee in case they don’t follow our pet policy? If the dog is unattended, I assume it is not a service animal as the owner doesn’t need the dog to be with them all the time. Can we actually kick the person out? 90% of people are lying about animal service because they don’t want to pay pet fees. Owners of true service animals are usually very respectful and show us documentation without us even asking.
Service dog owners can voluntarily show documentation but it can never be required as a condition to entry. Service dog owners are always responsible for having full control of their dogs. If the animal is disruptive or causes property damage the hotel may be able to deny accommodation.
What can I do if I was brutally screamed at for having my service animal he told my husband who brought her up to leave when he seen my service animal so my husband repeatedly stated we have card and paperwork he said it didn’t matter it was a dog so my husband got him without his permission we had paid already and he wasn’t going to refund the next morning checking out I walked out with her and he’s screaming I told you no dog and tried to put charges on my card but i blocked my card but again I had card in my hand and he continued to scream I was embarrassed I want to sue him because I know he will do this again I left my rights at desk he just cursed me
Hotels cannot insist on seeing paperwork as a condition to entry. No service dog owner should ever be yelled at. Hotel staff are allowed to ask two questions only for service dog verification: 1. Is the dog a service dog required for a disability? and 2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
I am 100% disabled un-employable status with the VA. I’m living in a extended stay America hotel in Columbia sc and I’m charged almost 600 dollars more than another guest. I’m on the 3rd floor and the hotel has no elevator and customer service said ESA service animals are not service animals and they are still charged for. Am I wrong or are they about charging me for my registered service animals and being on third floor or are they?
Emotional support animals unfortunately do not have access rights to hotels. If you have an ESA, the hotel does not have to accommodate you. If you have a fully qualified service dog however, hotels are not allowed to charge fees for them.
I run a hotel as well and as everyone has stated, it can be a tricky situation to navigate. We have a guest in house now that told us their dog was a service animal. They asked us to service their room while the were out. We opened the door and the dog sprinted out to the street. We had a group of guests and staff trying to chase the animal down before it got hit by a car. So my question is this, can a service animal be left in a hotel room for an afternoon, while their owners are out?
I see on the ada.gov site, question 29 says “No”. Q29. Are hotel guests allowed to leave their service animals in their hotel room when they leave the hotel?
A. No, the dog must be under the handler’s control at all times. Please help clarify. thanks again
Hotel staff cannot be expected to care for a service dog. A service dog travelling with a handler at a hotel should be under their control.