[flowersoldier]

I work at a healthcare facility, and the "emotional support" animals are a huge problem. We only allow Service Animals in our building. I frequently ask patients to keep their birds and even reptiles in the car. The ADA is very specific in that they only recognize dogs and miniature horses as Service Animals. It is worth noting that "emotional support" animals do not enjoy the same protections that the ADA provides. It doesn't stop patients from claiming that their emotional support animal is an actual Service Animal, but requiring proof is a slippery slope toward a discrimination lawsuit.

[ghthor]

Seems ridiulous that asking for proof of a valid service animal is a slippery slope. It seems welldefined, and a legit service animal would likely carry the documentation with them.

[fbdjskajxb]

The ADA doesn’t create any standard for documentation. Where’s the definition?

[dragonwriter]

> The ADA is very specific in that they only recognize dogs and miniature horses as Service Animals.

Pedantically, only dogs are service animals under ADA regs (28 CFR 35.104), but guide horses have very similar rules under the ADA.

[fhood]

Ok, I must ask, how on earth was the decision made that dogs and miniature horses would be the two allowable service animals?

Edit: I figured it out. Pack animals.

[jaggederest]

You're incorrect. Miniature horses are used in situations where someone is e.g. blind and also allergic to dogs. They're used as guide animals in much the same way as seeing eye dogs.

[anotherevan]

I never knew there were seeing eye horses. This is an awesome world we live in.