Various state and federal laws define service animals and protect the rights of people with disabilities who use them. These laws ensure that individuals with disabilities can bring their service animals into public spaces where pets are typically not allowed.
This guide explains the key definitions and protections under both federal and state laws within the Northwest ADA Center’s region. It focuses on the rules that apply to service animals in public spaces such as:
- Restaurants
- Museums
- Parks
- Movie Theaters
- Doctor’s Offices and Hospitals
- City Buses
- Hotels
The purpose of this guide is to help individuals, businesses, and public entities understand their rights and responsibilities regarding service animals in the community.
Note: Some cities may have a more expansive definition of what is considered a service animal. Additionally, different rules apply to service animals in employment and housing settings. For information about service animals in those contexts, please refer to our separate guides, service animals in employment and service animals frequently asked questions.
Last updated: 10/30/2025
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Public Spaces
How does the ADA define service animals?
The ADA defines a service animal as a dog that has been trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. The tasks performed must be directly related to the person’s disability.
Does the ADA require service animals to be registered or certified?
No. The ADA does not require registration, certification, or special identification for service animals.
There are organizations that sell service animal “certification” or “registration” documents online. These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA. The Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that a dog is a service animal.
However, if a city or county requires all animals to be licensed or vaccinated, then a service animal must also follow those rules.
Pet licenses are meant for animal safety and recovery, not as proof that an animal is a service animal.
Can businesses or public entities request disability related documentation regarding a service animal?
No. Employees or staff members of a business or public entity cannot require paperwork, certification, or any other documentation to prove that a dog is a service animal. If it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two questions:
- Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or tasks has the dog been trained to perform?
Staff may not ask for details or medical documentation about the person’s disability, require a dog to demonstrate tasks, request any documentation showing that the dog is a service animal, or proof of training.
Are emotional support animals (ESAs) considered service animals?
No. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not service animals under the ADA because they are not trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability. Providing comfort, companionship, or emotional support, or simply helping someone feel safe, do not count as work or trained tasks under this law.
Do service animals in training have the right to enter public spaces?
No. The ADA does not specifically cover service animals in training. However, many states set their own laws regarding the rights and access of service animals in training. See state laws below for more information.
Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)
How does the ACAA define service animals?
The ACAA defines a service animal as a dog that has been trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. The tasks performed must be directly related to the person’s disability. 14 CFR Part 382
Does the ACAA require service animals to be registered or certified?
No. As discussed in the next question, airlines can require that passengers traveling with a service animal complete two forms attesting to the dog’s health, behavior, and training. However, service animal handlers are not required to have any outside organization certify or register their service animals.
Can airlines request any documentation related to a service animal?
Yes. Airlines can require that passengers traveling with a service animal complete a DOT form attesting to the animal’s health, behavior, and training. If the animal will be on a flight that is 8 or more hours, an additional DOT form attesting that the animal can either avoid relieving itself or can relieve itself in a sanitary manner, may be required. Other forms are prohibited.
Are emotional support animals (ESAs) considered service animals?
No. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not service animals under the ACAA because they are not trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability. Providing comfort, companionship, or emotional support, or simply helping someone feel safe, do not count as work or trained tasks .
Do service animals in training have the right to enter airports or airplanes?
No. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) does not cover service animals in training. Airlines are not required to accept service animals in training. However, some airlines may set their own policies for transporting pets or service animals in training. Check with your airline in advance when traveling.
Alaska
How does Alaska define service animals?
Under Alaska law, a service animal is a dog or miniature horse that has been trained to do specific work or tasks for a person with a disability. These tasks must be directly related to the person’s disability. 6 AAC 30.610
Does Alaska require service animals to be registered or certified?
No. Alaska does not require registration, certification, or special identification for service animals.
There are organizations that sell service animal “certification” or “registration” documents online. These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA. The Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that a dog is a service animal.
If a city or county requires all animals to be licensed or vaccinated, then a service animal must also follow those rules. Typically pet licenses are meant for animal safety and recovery, not as proof that an animal is a service animal.
Check your local city and county websites for more information about pet licenses.
Can businesses or public entities request disability related documentation regarding a service animal?
No. Employees or staff members of a business or public entity cannot require paperwork, certification, or any other documentation to prove that a dog or miniature horse is a service animal. If it is not obvious that the dog or miniature horse is a service animal, staff may ask only two questions:
- Is the dog or miniature horse a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or tasks has the animal been trained to perform?
Staff may not ask for details about the person’s disability, require the service animal to demonstrate tasks, or request any documentation or proof of training.
Are emotional support animals (ESAs) considered service animals?
No. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not service animals under Alaska law because they are not trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability. Providing comfort, companionship, or emotional support, or simply helping someone feel safe, does not count as work or a trained task under this law.
Do service animals in training have the right to enter public spaces?
Yes. Service animals in training are allowed to go anywhere the public is allowed, such as restaurants, stores, schools, and other businesses.
Idaho
How does Idaho define service animals?
Under Idaho law, a service animal is a dog that has been trained to do specific work or tasks for a person with a disability. These tasks must be directly related to the person’s disability. Idaho Code § 56-701A
Does Idaho law require service animals to be registered or certified?
No. Idaho law does not require registration, certification, or special identification for service animals.
There are organizations that sell service animal “certification” or “registration” documents online. These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA. The Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that a dog is a service animal.
If a city or county requires all animals to be licensed or vaccinated, then a service animal must also follow those rules. Typically pet licenses are meant for animal safety and recovery, not as proof that an animal is a service animal.
Check your local city and county websites for more information about pet licenses.
Can businesses or public entities request disability related documentation regarding a service animal?
No. Employees or staff members of a business or public entity cannot require paperwork, certification, or any other documentation to prove that a dog is a service animal. If it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two questions:
- Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or tasks has the dog been trained to perform?
Staff may not ask for details about the person’s disability, require a dog to demonstrate tasks, or request any documentation or proof of training.
Are emotional support animals (ESAs) considered service animals?
No. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not service animals under Idaho law because they are not trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability. Providing comfort, companionship, or emotional support, or simply helping someone feel safe, do not count as work or trained tasks under this law.
Do service animals in training have the right to enter public spaces?
Yes. Service animals in training are allowed to go anywhere the public is allowed, such as restaurants, stores, schools, workplaces, and other businesses.
In Idaho, a service dog in training must wear a jacket, collar, scarf, or other article that clearly identifies it as a service animal in training.
Additionally, if the trainer is not a person with a disability, they must carry and, upon request, show an identification card issued by a recognized service dog training school or an organization that serves individuals with disabilities. Idaho Code § 56-704B
Oregon
How does Oregon define service animals?
Oregon law uses the term “assistance animal.” An assistance animal is a dog or other animal designated by administrative rule that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. ORS 659A.143
Does Oregon law require service animals to be registered or certified?
No. Oregon law does not require registration, certification, or special identification for service animals.
There are organizations that sell service animal “certification” or “registration” documents online. These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA. The Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that a dog is a service animal.
If a city or county requires all animals to be licensed or vaccinated, then a service animal must also follow those rules.
For example, in Lane County, every dog must be licensed when one of two things occurs: either the dog reaches the age of six months, or it obtains its permanent canine teeth, whichever comes first. According to Lane County, a pet license helps identify and protect an animal if it gets lost. Licensing – Lane County
Check your local city and county websites for more information about pet licenses.
Can businesses or public entities request disability related documentation regarding a service animal?
No. Employees or staff members of a business or public entity cannot require paperwork, certification, or any other documentation to prove that a dog is a service animal. If it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two questions:
- Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or tasks has the animal been trained to perform?
Staff may not ask for details about the person’s disability, require an assistance animal to demonstrate tasks, or request any documentation or proof of training.
Are emotional support animals (ESAs) considered service animals?
No. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not service animals under Oregon law because they are not trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability. Providing comfort, companionship, or emotional support, or simply helping someone feel safe, do not count as work or trained tasks under this law.
Do service animals in training have the right to enter public spaces?
Yes. “Assistance animals” in training are allowed to go anywhere the public is allowed, such as restaurants, stores, schools, and other businesses.
Washington State
How does Washington State define service animals?
In Washington, a service animal is a dog or miniature horse that has been trained to do specific work or tasks for a person with a disability. These tasks must be directly related to the person’s disability. RCW 49.60.040
Does Washington law require service animals to be registered or certified?
No. Washington law does not require registration, certification, or special identification for service animals.
There are organizations that sell service animal “certification” or “registration” documents online. These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA. The Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that a dog is a service animal.
If a city or county requires all animals to be licensed or vaccinated, then a service animal must also follow those rules.
For example, in King County, all dogs and cats eight weeks or older must have a pet license. According to King County, a pet license helps identify and protect an animal if it gets lost; it’s not used as proof that an animal is a service animal. King County License My Pet
Check your local city and county websites for more information about pet licenses.
Can businesses or public entities request disability related documentation regarding a service animal?
No. Employees or staff members of a business or public entity cannot require paperwork, certification, or any other documentation to prove that a dog is a service animal. If it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two questions:
- Is the dog or miniature horse a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or tasks has the animal been trained to perform?
Staff may not ask for details about the person’s disability, require the service animal to demonstrate tasks, or request any documentation or proof of training.
Are emotional support animals (ESAs) considered service animals?
No. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not service animals under Washington law because they are not trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability. Providing comfort, companionship, or emotional support, or simply helping someone feel safe, does not count as work or a trained task under this law.
Do service animals in training have the right to enter public spaces?
Yes. Service animals in training are allowed to go anywhere the public is allowed, such as restaurants, stores, schools, and other businesses.
Additional resources for information on service animals
Service Animal Resource Hub (ADA National Network)
Service Animals FAQs (ADA.gov)
The Northwest ADA Center is a member of the ADA National Network. This fact sheet was developed under grant from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), NIDILRR grant #90DP0016-02-00. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the ACL, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.