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Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits places of public accommodation from requiring proof of certification of a service animal/service dog's training. There are similar provisions in other federal laws that apply to commercial air travel, state and local governmental agencies, including public transportation, and other entities. However, if certification is chosen through Pets and People: Companions in Therapy & Service, it is a multi-step process.
Step 1 is submitting the application and dues for the team to be certified. Pets and People will issue a "Service Animal In Training" card.
Many states allow Service Animals in training access as though they were certified. Please check your state's laws for specific requirements and access specifications. ANIMALS IN TRAINING ARE NOT MENTIONED BY THE ADA, nor is there any precedent for coverage under the ADA. You are encouraged to print the Public Access Test and use it in your training.
Step 2 occurs when you think the animal is ready for "certification". Have someone videotape you and your service animal as you perform the exercises on the Public Access Test. At the end of the video, if you can, tape a brief segment showing how your Service Animal mitigates your disability. Or in other words, show us what they do to help you! There is no minimum number of tasks required; however, if you cannot include this segment on the video, please include a written description of the service behavior with the video.
If you cannot find a way to perform the test on videotape, contact Pets and People, but please be aware that except under extraordinary circumstances, Pets & People does not grant exceptions to the video rule. Many digital cameras have the ability to shoot in video mode. A CD of such a video is an acceptable substitute for the videotape requirement. Unless specifically requested by a Pets & People administrator, PLEASE don't email video files to us. Just mail the CD by regular mail. Thanks!
In the US, the CVS drugstore chain introduced a one-time-use camcorder. The unit takes 20 minutes of footage, you take it to a CVS for same-day processing, and they give you back your video on a DVD. The camera retails for about $30 and processing costs are included. Watch for specials in your area, we've seen substantial price discounts around here. Check CVS.com for a store near you.
The company that actually makes the camcorders for CVS now has a website; check for a retailer near you to find a unit.
After we review the video, Pets and People will issue a "Service Animal" access card, as well as an official Pets and People patch.
IF you feel your animal is trained well enough, you may combine Steps 1 and 3.
At Step 3, you mail the video (on VHS tape or CD or DVD) AND your explanation of service behavior, (if not obvious on tape) to:
Pets and People is not and will not be responsible for tapes that may be damaged or misdirected while in transit. That is an issue for you to address with the post office or other service you used to send it. Whether you can "afford" to take a chance with how you send it is up to you - we have not had problems with damage, but have had some lost tapes, especially since the hurricane. If you can, PLEASE keep a copy of the tape for safekeeping (many video stores will make you a copy of your own tape). Thanks for understanding.
The Public Access Test (PDF, 17.9 K) is available to download as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file. Acrobat 3.02 or later is required to view and print the file. Please feel free to download, print, and copy the Public Access Test.
If you have problems viewing or printing the test from within your browser, save the file to your hard drive (e.g., right click on the link, then select "Save Target As..." or something similar), close your browser, then open the file directly into Acrobat Reader.
Download the Adobe Acrobat Reader
An accessible
version of the download page is available.
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