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Traveling with a service dog is hard enough, and the last thing you want to deal with is a hotel that doesn’t allow them.
Can Hotels Refuse Service Dogs
Most hotels have a no pets policy because they don’t want to deal with the mess that animals can make.
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However, service dogs are not classified as pets. They are trained to behave in public and not cause harm.
Well… technically speaking, there is nothing in federal law that requires Americans to carry documentation or identification for a service animal.
Additionally, service animals are protected under the ADA Act and it is illegal for hotels or public places to require documentation of a service animal.
That being said, however, some establishments may still require you to see some sort of certificate or documentation – and in some cases proof of vaccinations and liability insurance may also be required for your four-legged friend to stay with you In the hotel.
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But if you’re ever asked to provide such documentation and you don’t have it, don’t worry!
You can simply explain that this is not required by law and ask to speak to a manager if necessary. And in most cases, that will be the end.
Since most hotels have a no-pets policy, they may need to confirm that your dog is not a pet but a service animal.
For this purpose, they have the right to ask only two questions – whether the animal is necessary for disability and what tasks it is trained to perform.
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If your host does not allow pets, you can let them know that your pet is a service animal and they must make an exception.
However, it is always a good idea to let your host know in advance that you will be bringing a service animal.
That way, they can make sure the property is designed for both you and your service dog.
Although it is illegal for hotels to require proof of a service dog, some may still require it.
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This is often due to ignorance of the law or because they have had bad experiences with guests in the past.
If the hotel asks for proof, the best thing you can do is calmly explain that it’s against the law and that they can’t refuse service because of a disability.
An example is a recent case in California where the plaintiff was a person who was denied entry to a Hampton Inn because he was accompanied by a disabled person who had a service dog.
Of course, hotels have discretion and can deny entry to anyone with a pet, but in this case it was a service dog, not a pet.
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A service animal is defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act as a dog that is individually trained to perform work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.
In this case, the plaintiff states that his companion, who is his brother, suffers from muscular dystrophy and relies on a Duke (Great Dane) for mobility.
Duke had a tag that identified his owner, but no proof that he was a service dog.
The hotel’s defense was that the clerk refused them entry because the dog was off-leash and appeared to be biting other guests’ bags.
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The officer also said the dog’s owner was clearly intoxicated and showed no signs of impairment.
The case was dropped because the person was drunk and was violating public order. However, if the person was not drunk, the hotel will be mistaken for the culprit.
This case also established that a service animal deemed to pose a threat to other guests may be refused entry.
Under the ADA, hotels are not allowed to charge additional cleaning fees or pet deposits for service animals, as this effectively excludes people with disabilities from staying at the hotel.
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In addition, hotels are required to provide reasonable accommodations for pets, such as providing a utility area.
However, some hotels may pay for any damage caused to the property by a service animal during your stay.
Some hotels’ pet policies can be unclear or confusing, so it’s important to research the hotel’s policy before booking.
However, the hotel has good reason to doubt whether the animal is a service dog, as most hotels have a no pets policy.
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So you may be wondering if a dog is a service animal and what exactly a dog is trained to do.
Sable M. is a chef dog, professional pet blogger and proud owner of two male dogs. I have been an animal lover all my life, dogs have a special place in my heart. I originally created this blog to share recipes, tips and any relevant information about healthy homemade dog treats. But with an undying passion to make a difference in the canine world, I’ve expanded the scope of the blog to include the best information and recommendations on what dog lovers need to know about the health and well-being of their canine friends. My mission now is to find the most useful content on all things dog related and share it with die-hard dog lovers. While everything I share follows the latest evidence-based veterinary health guidelines, nothing should be construed as veterinary advice. Please contact your veterinarian with any questions regarding your Fido’s health.
We use cookies to ensure that we provide you with the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site, we will assume that you are satisfied with it. Ok Privacy Policy Are service dogs allowed in the hotels? The short answer is, yes, they are. According to the ADA, or the Americans with Disabilities Act, people with disabilities who use service dogs must be given the same opportunities as other people when it comes to hotels. Keep reading for all the details.
Of course, yes, you can 100% bring a service dog to the hotel! Under the ADA, or Americans with Disabilities Act, hotels are required by law to provide equal access to people with disabilities who use service dogs.
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This means that people with service dogs should not be confined to “pet only” rooms. Service dogs are not pets.
People with disabilities who use service dogs should be offered the same selection of hotel rooms as people without disabilities.
Under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), businesses and other “covered entities,” including hotels, cannot require service animal certification, registration, any documentation, or proof of training or licensing as a condition of entry.
In other words, no, hotels cannot require proof of a service dog. It is important to note that people with disabilities who use service dogs have the right to train the dog themselves.
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Additionally, there is no legitimate federal system for registering or certifying service dogs. Service dogs do not need to be registered or certified.
Under ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) laws, employees of hotels and other businesses can only ask two questions of people with disabilities who use service dogs.
Also, it’s important to note that these questions can only be asked when the reason (or need) for a service dog is not obvious.
No. Hotels may not charge a fee, deposit, or surcharge to a person with a disability who uses a service dog as a condition of entry to the hotel.
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No, hotels cannot charge guests a cleaning fee for hair or dander left by a service dog or service animal.
A fee may only be charged if the service dog damages the guest room. In this case, the hotel may charge the same fee as it charges other guests for the same or similar damage.
No. According to federal ADA laws, a service dog must be under the control of its owner at all times. This means that service dogs should not be left alone in a hotel room.
Yes, Marriott Hotels accepts service dogs in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). State and local service dog laws regarding service animals are also followed.
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Hotel guests traveling with a service dog will not be charged a pet fee. This is also known as a pet cleaning fee. A fee may be charged if the service dog damages or soils the hotel.
To find out if a hotel outside the US accepts pets, you can check their websites
Emotional support dogs do not have the same public access rights under the ADA or the Americans with Disabilities Act. Emotional support animals may still be allowed to stay as pets at some hotels.
Sam is an accomplished writer, disability and mental health advocate, dog lover, artist, philosopher and generally complex human being. Like everyone else, service dog owners often stay at the hotel. When they do, they can bring their service dogs with them during their stay. No matter how extravagant or simple the hotel is
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