I am the ENF chairperson for the Vista Ca. lodge 1968. I have a question and need some guidance about service dogs in the lodge. I know we have service animals that perform a certain task they are trained but not sure about “Emotional Support” dogs. A few people bring their dogs in and we are not allowed to question them except with these comments as per ADA!
1.is the dog a service animal that is required because of a disability?
2.what work or task has the dog been trained to perform.
We cannot ask for documentation, or to require the dog to show us the task or inquire about the nature of the persons disability.
*If the dog provides comfort just by being with the person and not trained to do a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service dogs under the ADA. Does Calif. have any laws to allow emotional support animals into public/priviate places? and does that apply to our lodge? ADA says some states have different rules and its up to us to check. I cannot find anything. The Members know the ADA rules have to be followed, they are just cloudy on some issues Like an Elk dining room. The members that have allergies are feeling upset about all this, but we know they may have to move to a separate area but we cannot ask the person with the disability to move to a certain area as per ADA. Any ruling on this? We don’t want to get sued for any of this and it is becoming a problem with a few members being too vocal about the person with disabilities. We are trying to educate folks to the RULES but would like you help. I have asked our State advisor to provide us with guidance as well, but this may become more than a district issue with so many service dogs starting to come to our lodge dining room. A new member has the first service Dog we encountered.
I am the ENF chairperson for the Vista Ca. lodge 1968. I have a question and need some guidance about service dogs in the lodge. I know we have service animals that perform a certain task they are trained but not sure about “Emotional Support” dogs. A few people bring their dogs in and we are not allowed to question them except with these comments as per ADA!
1.is the dog a service animal that is required because of a disability?
2.what work or task has the dog been trained to perform.
We cannot ask for documentation, or to require the dog to show us the task or inquire about the nature of the persons disability.
*If the dog provides comfort just by being with the person and not trained to do a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service dogs under the ADA. Does Calif. have any laws to allow emotional support animals into public/priviate places? and does that apply to our lodge? ADA says some states have different rules and its up to us to check. I cannot find anything. The Members know the ADA rules have to be followed, they are just cloudy on some issues Like an Elk dining room. The members that have allergies are feeling upset about all this, but we know they may have to move to a separate area but we cannot ask the person with the disability to move to a certain area as per ADA. Any ruling on this? We don’t want to get sued for any of this and it is becoming a problem with a few members being too vocal about the person with disabilities. We are trying to educate folks to the RULES but would like you help. I have asked our State advisor to provide us with guidance as well, but this may become more than a district issue with so many service dogs starting to come to our lodge dining room. A new member has the first service Dog we encountered.