LibGuides: Disability Awareness: Service Animals

Service Animals

Library staff and patrons often have questions about service animals. Some of these questions may include:

What is a service animal versus comfort/ emotional support animal versus therapy animal?
Do I have to let them in?
What can I say to the owner?
What can I do if the animal behaves badly?

It is important for libraries to have updated policies and/or procedures relating to accessibility and service animals to help answer these questions.

Explore the resources below to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
From the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section.
Must My Library Accommodate Service and Support Animals? (American Libraries)
With legal advice from Mary Minow and Tom Lipinski, authors of "The Library’s Legal Answer Book."
North Dakota Service Animal Laws
North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) Chapter 25-13
Service Animals (ADA requirements)
From the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section.
Table of State Service Animal Laws
Prepared by the Michigan State University College of Law.
Welcoming Service Dogs to Your Museum ( American Alliance of Museums)
Advice for musuems, but it can translate to libraries.
What’s the difference between a service dog, therapy dog, emotional support animal?
Article from the Sterling Journal-Advocate newspaper in Colorado.

Animals in the Library Policy
Kent Free Library (Kent, Ohio)
Service Animals Policy
Mansfield Public Library (Mansfield, Connecticut)

Service Animals Policy
Seattle Public Library (Seattle, Washington)

Service Animals Policy
Simsbury Public Library (Simsbury, Connecticut)
Service Animals Policy
Tulsa City-County Library (Tulsa, Oklahoma)