Service Dog Laws Ohio: Epic Guide, FAQ + More [2023]

ohio service dog laws

Welcome to Service Dog Laws Ohio

Welcome to our service dog laws in Ohio guide and FAQ page, updated for 2023.

Service dog laws in Ohio require that a specially trained service dog (sometimes called an assistance dog) be allowed to accompany a person with a disability to all public accommodations and public carriers, with a few exceptions. 

There are multiple laws that govern the use of these special animals. Some states have laws for fake service dogs, but others don’t yet. For a related article, check out our guide to Emotional Support Animal Laws in Ohio.

Table of Contents

Service dogs can help people with different types of disabilities
Service animals can help people with many different types of visible and invisible disabilities.

In this detailed guide, we’ll go through some of the most common questions about service dogs in the state of Ohio. This includes where they are allowed in public, housing information, what businesses need to know, plus much more.

American Cocker Spaniel Service Dog Ohio
American Cocker Spaniel Service Dog “Bartek” @bartek_spaniel_wspanialy
border collie service dog Ohio
Border Collies @celestialbordercolliesOpens in a new tab.

In brief, service animals may go with their (legally disabled) handler wherever the public can go. There are a few exceptions, like sterile hospital environments and religious organizations.

Service dogs of any breed may go to malls, restaurants, grocery stores, movie theatres, community centers, schools, buses, taxis, hotels, Airbnb, amusement parks, doctor’s offices, hospitals, trains, and National Parks, just as a few examples.

service dog laws Ohio
Blue Heeler “Snow Leopard” @snow_leopard_81Opens in a new tab.

Introduction to Service Dog Laws Ohio

Service Dog Remi Vs Emotional Support Anima
Working K9 “Remmi” @working.collie.remmiOpens in a new tab.

There are many people with disabilities who need to use a service dog in their day-to-day lives. People with disabilities and their use of service dogs are protected by both federal and state laws. These include protections and rights relating to:

  • Places of public accommodation
  • Employment
  • Housing
  • Education
  • Transportation
  • Air Travel

Read more: Service Dog Laws by StateOpens in a new tab.

Siberian Husky Service Dog
Kylie’s “Lucy On Duty” @lucytheservicesibeOpens in a new tab.

Service Dog Laws Ohio – Multiple Laws

service dog laws ohio

Depending on the situation, there are several different laws that protect a person’s rights and responsibilities for the use of service dogs. These include:

Autism Service Dog
Goldendoodle Autism Service Dog “Piper” @bri.and.piperOpens in a new tab.

These all provide different standards around the use of service animals. Don’t worry if this seems totally confusing, because we are going to unpack some of the most common questions about service dog laws Ohio right now.

The most commonly needed law perhaps is the ADA laws for public access rights.

Service Dog in Training Ohio
Service Dog in Training – “Bishop”

Read more on our blog: Federal ADA Service Dog Laws Guide & FAQs.

Service Dogs Are For People With Disabilities – What Is a Disability?

Before someone can have any legal protections around service dogs, first things first. Service dogs are for people who have a disability. The term “disability” is sometimes defined differently.

Under the ADA lawsOpens in a new tab., which is concerned mostly with service dogs’ public access rights, the term “disability” means that someone has a mental or a physical impairment that significantly limits one or more of their major life activities.

service dogs amusement park Ohio
Service Dog “Koda” @thatlilbearkodaOpens in a new tab.

Major life activities are such things like:

  • Taking care of yourself
  • Doing manual tasks
  • Walking
  • Lifting
  • Bending
  • Speaking
  • Hearing
  • Seeing
  • Breathing
  • Learning
  • Reading
  • Thinking and concentrating
  • Communicating with others
  • Working
  • In addition, bodily functions such as the immune system and cell growth are included

The Fair Housing ActOpens in a new tab., Air Carrier Access ActOpens in a new tab., as well as state laws, also provide similar definitions of disability.”

Autism service dog
Goldendoodle Autism Service Dog “Piper” @bri.and.piperOpens in a new tab.

Service Dog Laws Ohio – What is a Service Dog?

Although different entities (The ADAOpens in a new tab., the Fair Housing ActOpens in a new tab., and the Air Carrier Access ActOpens in a new tab.) may have differing definitions of what a service animal is, they all agree on the concept that a service animal is a working dog, not a pet.

The official ADA definition of a service animal is that it is any dog that has been individually trained to do work or tasks in order to help someone with a specific disability.

service animals are not pets
Service dogs are not pets, even though they may look like them.

These disabilities may be physical disabilities, mental disabilities, or they could be sensory, psychiatric, or intellectual in nature.

Technically speaking, a service animal must be a dog under the ADA service dog laws Ohio and other states.

Since there are different service animal definitions depending on context (public access rights, air travel, housing) we’ll go through the different ones right now. As you’ll see, they are similar, but the differences are important to understand.

The ADA Service Animal Definition for Public Access Rights

The federal ADA law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in:

  • Employment
  • State and local government
  • Public accommodations
  • Commercial facilities
  • Transportation
  • Telecommunications
  • United States Congress

Under the ADA Americans with Disabilities ActOpens in a new tab. federal laws, “Service animal means any dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for purposes of this definition.”

The work or tasks that the dog does must be directly related to a specific person’s disability. In addition, the work or tasks must help to mitigate at least some of the effects of that disability.

It’s important to note that while dogs are the only animal defined here, there is a separate ADA provision for the use of a miniature horse as a service animal. Service dogs, under the ADA, can be any breed.

Siberian Husky Service Dog
Syncope Alert Service Dog “Kylie’s Lucy On Duty” @lucytheservicesibeOpens in a new tab.

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) Definition of Assistance Animal

Under the FHA, “An assistance animal is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified effects of a person’s disability. An assistance animal is not a pet.”

Service dog laws in Ohio
Blue Heeler “Snow Leopard” @snow_leopard_81Opens in a new tab.

The Air Carrier Access Act Definition of Service Animal

Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), “A service animal means a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.  Animal species other than dogs, emotional support animals, comfort animals, companionship animals, and service animals in training are not service animals.“

Read more: American Airlines Service Dog Info – The Easy Guide

Psychiatric Service Dog Air Plane
Psychiatric Service Dog “Sarge” @sarge.in.serviceOpens in a new tab.
Service Dog in Training Ohio
“Kylie’s Where I Go, You Go” (Hugo) Service Dog in Training (SDiT) @lucytheservicesibeOpens in a new tab.

Miniature Horses

However, some people use a miniature horse because it just works better for them, especially for stability and mobility reasons. If a miniature horse has been individually trained to do work or tasks for someone with a disability, it must be allowed whenever possible.

Flirty the mini service horse
“Flirty” The Mini Service Horse @flirty.the.mini.service.horseOpens in a new tab.

What Does a Service Dog Actually Do?

Service dogs are amazing and versatile creatures. There are so many work and tasks they can do for people who are living with a disability. Remember that the task the dog completes must be directly related to a person’s specific disability.

Medical Alert Service dog OHIO
Medical Alert Service Dog @cricket_n_saraphenaOpens in a new tab.

Here are just a few examples (not a complete list) of work or tasks that a service dog can do:

  • Helping someone who is blind or has low vision with navigation and many other tasks
  • Alerting someone who is hard of hearing or deaf to the presence of people or other important sounds
  • Providing a non-violent method of protection
  • Helping someone if they are having a seizure
  • Pulling a wheelchair
  • Possibly helping someone with severe anemia
  • Letting someone know about the presence of allergens
  • Retrieving items for someone, like medication or a phone
  • Helping with balance issues and physical support and stability
  • Helping someone with psychiatric disabilities
  • Helping someone with neurological disabilities
  • Interrupting impulsive or destructive tendencies and behaviors
  • Read more: The Giant List of Service Dog Tasks Opens in a new tab.
Emotional Support Animals
Service animals are task-trained for a particular person’s disability; emotional support animals usually are not.
Multipurpose Service Dog
Multipurpose Service Dog @the_working_willowOpens in a new tab.

*Please note that animals that provide emotional support, comfort & companionship, or whose presence is used only for crime-deterrence purposes, don’t count as work or tasks under the ADA service dog laws Ohio to qualify these animals as a service animals.

Since these types of animals aren’t specially trained to help a specific person with their particular disability, they do not meet the criteria for service animals, and therefore they have different laws and rules. Read more on our blog: Service Dog vs Emotional Support Dog

Service dog vs emotional support dog
Working K9 “Remmi” @working.collie.remmiOpens in a new tab.

Public Accommodation For Service Dog Laws Ohio

In accordance with ADA laws, all private businesses and entities that serve the public must modify their policies (practices, procedures, etc.) to ensure that people with disabilities and their service dogs are accommodated.

This includes prohibitions on the presence of pets or animals. A service dog is not a pet; it is a medical assistance device that happens to have four legs and a tail.

Service Dog In Training Ohio
Kylie’s “Where I Go, You Go” (Hugo) @lucytheservicesibeOpens in a new tab.

People with disabilities must be accepted and accommodated, and permitted to be accompanied by their service animal in all public places where everyday members of the public are normally permitted (or invited, whatever you’d like to call it) to go. This includes Airbnb.

people with disabilities use service dogs
Working K9 “Remmi” @working.collie.remmiOpens in a new tab.

This basically covers all public places, businesses that are open to the public, and entities (with a few exceptions of course, such as certain religious places and certain hospital rooms like sterile operating rooms). Some examples include:

  • Hotels
  • Restaurants
  • Movie theaters
  • Bars
  • Sports stadiums
  • Retail stores
  • Grocery stores
  • Hospitals
  • Doctor’s offices and other healthcare providers
  • Gas stations
  • Banks
  • Laundromats
  • Public transportation stations
  • Museums
  • Libraries
  • Privates schools
  • Public schools
  • Other places of education
  • Places of relaxation
  • Places of exercise
  • State & local government buildings (services, programs, and activities)
  • Departments, agencies, courthouses
Service Dog Laws Ohio
Service Dog “Kodiak” @dog.human.duoOpens in a new tab.

Service Dog Laws Ohio – When Can a Service Dog Be Excluded?

service dog border collie
Border Collie Service Dog @celestialbordercolliesOpens in a new tab.

There are only a few circumstances that a service dog may be excluded from a place of public accommodation, and one is if the animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control the animal.

The other instance is if the animal is not housebroken. In other words, if the animal “goes to the bathroom” inappropriately.

If a service dog does get excluded for one of these reasons, it’s important to know that the business or entity must still give the person with a disability a chance to use the goods, services, and/or accommodations without their animal.

Please note that businesses are not required to take care of service animals or supervise them in any way. Read more on our blog: Can Service Dogs Go Anywhere? Opens in a new tab.

Blood sugar alert service dog
Blood Sugar Alert Service Dog @cricket_n_saraphenaOpens in a new tab.

What Can & Can’t a Business Ask?

what can and can't a business ask a service dog?
Canadian Service Dog “Everest” @katelynburelleOpens in a new tab.

Under the ADA service dog laws Ohio, a business or entity may only ask two questions of a person with a service dog:

  1. Is the animal required because of a disability?
  2. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

Businesses are not permitted under ADA laws to:

  • Require documentation, such as medical papers or proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal (service animals do not need to be certified or officially trained)
  • Ask about someone’s disability

Charging a Fee For a Service Dog

charging a fee for a service dog
Canadian Service Dog “Everest” @katelynburelleOpens in a new tab.

Charging a fee to a person with a disability just because of their service dog is not allowed under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

This is still true for a public place that ordinarily charges a fee for other people who are accompanied by pets. Service dogs are not pets.

If a business normally charges for damages that are caused by a pet or animal, then a person with a disability may also be charged the same fees if their service dog causes any damage.

Responsibilities of Service Dog Handlers

Responsibilities of Service Dog Handlers
Photo credit: @luna_exploregonOpens in a new tab.

Service dog handlers – the people who use service dogs – have to follow a few rules as well. Service dog laws Ohio indicate the following:

  • The handler must maintain control of the animal
  • The animal must have a harness, leash, or another tether
  • If a harness, leash, or other tether isn’t possible, then voice control or signals must be used to effectively control the animal

Ohio State Service Dog Laws

Ohio State Service Dog Laws
Blue Heeler “Snow Leopard” @snow_leopard_81Opens in a new tab.

You may already be aware that more than one set of laws exist for service dogs. The State of Ohio has a few things written in its laws that are new or different from the federal laws.

It’s interesting also that, where more than one law is available for a certain place, someone with a disability may use whichever law benefits them.

Service dog in training Ohio
Service Dog In Training (SDiT) “Bishop”

Summary of Ohio State-Specific Service Dog Laws

Places of public accommodation are prohibited from discriminating against people with disabilities, including denying access or charging a fee because of the service dog or “animal assistant” as Ohio calls it.

Ohio Administrative Code 4112-5-02 defines an “animal assistant” as any animal that aids a person with a disability. This might be a dog. But it might also be a monkey, which can help a person with a mobility impairment by retrieving or collecting items.

Individual needs vary, and people are protected under Ohio state law in places of public accommodation. If a person with a disability needs a slightly unconventional type of animal for their needs, that is okay, and businesses need to respect it.

German Shepherd Service Dog
Multipurpose Service Dog “Eri” @eri_servicedogOpens in a new tab.

Service Dog Laws Ohio – Rights of Service Dog Trainers

service dog trainer Ohio
Goldendoodle Autism Service Dog “Piper” @bri.and.piperOpens in a new tab.

Service dog trainers in Ohio are entitled to the same rights as service dogs while they are training. Charges are not allowed. Service dogs-in-training must be covered by a liability insurance policy. This should be provided by the nonprofit special agency that is training the dog.

Service Dog Laws Ohio – Service Dogs & Housing

Ohio service animals and housing
Goldendoodle Autism Service Dog “Piper” @bri.and.piperOpens in a new tab.

The Fair Housing ActOpens in a new tab. protects people with disabilities from discrimination in housing situations. People with disabilities must not be discriminated against in terms, conditions, or privileges of a housing situation.

An example of discrimination would be a landlord refusing to make reasonable accommodations in their rules or policies, practices, or services in order to provide an equal opportunity to a person with a disability.

border collie service dog Ohio
Border Collie @celestialbordercolliesOpens in a new tab.

If a tenant with a disability needs a service animal, then a landlord is generally obligated under the law to grant permission. This is true even when pets are restricted or prohibited in the dwelling. Service animals are not pets.

The Fair Housing Act protects people and it applies to virtually all and any forms of housing.

If You Need a Service Dog as a Tenant

if you need a service dog as a tenant
Canadian Service Dog “Everest” @katelynburelleOpens in a new tab.

If you are a tenant with a disability and need the use of a service dog in a rented dwelling, the Fair Housing Act protects you.

What you need to do:

You should notify your landlord or potential landlord in writing. This should mention that you do have a disability. You don’t need to share any details about your disability. State that you need a service animal to afford you an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the dwelling.

Request a modification in the landlord’s policies that may prohibit pets or animals. This is a “reasonable accommodation” request. See your doctor, mental health professional, or another medical professional to obtain a letter. This letter can simply state your official need for the animal. Including medical history or information is not necessary.

The landlord only needs to be able to determine that the modifications are necessary because of a disability. Requiring a tenant to pay a fee or a deposit for a service animal is illegal. However, it’s important to note that a tenant can be charged for the cost of repairing damages if they are caused by the service dog.

Service Dog in Training
Service Dog in Training – “Bishop”

When a Landlord Can Refuse a Service Dog

There are only a few circumstances where a landlord or property manager can refuse to allow a service dog to occupy a dwelling with a person who has a disability.

These are:

  • If the request for rental accommodation would cause undue burden, either financially or administratively
  • If fundamental alterations to the nature of the housing would be required
  • If a service animal is being disruptive to other tenants
  • If the service animal is a direct threat to the health, safety, and/or property of other people

Fair Housing Act & Other Animals

Mini service horse
“Flirty” The Mini Service Horse @flirty.the.mini.service.horseOpens in a new tab.

The Fair Housing ActOpens in a new tab. includes definitions and protections that are much broader than the ones found in the ADA, which handles public accommodations. For housing situations, a service animal doesn’t necessarily need to be a dog. And, a service animal does not need to be trained or certified.

For example, a “service monkey” is a legitimate thing, and can help someone who has mobility issues to retrieve items and other tasks. Emotional support animals can be considered in a housing situation as a reasonable accommodation. Emotional support dogs are particularly helpful for people living with depression, anxiety, or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

Service Dog Laws Ohio – Service Dogs in the Workplace

Service dogs in the workplace
Border Collie @celestialbordercolliesOpens in a new tab.

The service dog laws Ohio, under the ADA, allows people with disabilities to have their service dogs go to work with them. Employers are not to refuse to allow reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities.

Reasonable accommodations are changes to a work environment, policies, or practices of an employer. These have the ability to enable a qualified employee who lives with a disability to perform essential functions or tasks or to apply for employment.

Service animals in the workplace setting are not limited only to dogs. It’s possible that a reasonable accommodation may even include emotional support animals in certain circumstances.

An employee – not employer – is responsible for the care and monitoring of their service animal. Having said that, the employer may need to provide the employee with some flexibility. For example, being able to take the animal outside for bodily functions. Read more on our blog: ADA Workplace Accommodation Laws Summary & FAQ

Notifying Employers About Service Dogs Needed in the Workplace

service dogs needed in the workplace
Psychiatric Service Dog “Sarge” @sarge.in.serviceOpens in a new tab.

Service dog laws in Ohio indicate that employers must be notified if you have a disability and need a service animal as a reasonable accommodation to enable or aid employment. You could notify an employer verbally, or in writing. Writing is preferable for several reasons, one of which is in case you need a “paper trail” later.

Some disabilities are obvious and some are completely invisible. When disabilities are invisible, an employer may request more information about a disability. In addition, the employer may need to understand the relationship between the disability and the service dog. In other words, how will the dog help an employee to do their job?

Having the support of your doctor or another health professional can help, and can help demonstrate that the need for the dog or animal is real. This can be accomplished orally or in writing, although in writing is preferable.

Unless the disability is obvious, the employer could require additional information about the employee’s disability as well as the relationship between the employee’s disability and his or her need for a service animal to be able to perform the job duties. It is important to have the support of the person’s doctor or another medical professional to demonstrate the necessity of a service animal.

Limits on Service Animals in the Workplace

service animals in the workplace
Psychiatric Service Dog “Sarge” @sarge.in.serviceOpens in a new tab.
Autism service dog
Goldendoodle Autism Service Dog “Piper” @bri.and.piperOpens in a new tab.

There are a few limitations to having service dogs in the workplace. An employer can refuse a request for accommodation if it is not reasonable. Or, if it would cause undue hardship on business operations. In addition, an employer may choose to provide an equally effective, but alternative, reasonable accommodation, other than the one requested by the employee.

Employees may need to demonstrate that the service animal is the only effective accommodation available to them and their unique circumstances.

Service Dog Laws Ohio – Service Dogs in Schools

service dogs in schools
Border Collie @celestialbordercolliesOpens in a new tab.

Students with disabilities who need service dogs in schools and other educational settings are protected by federal law. This includes:

  • Nursery school
  • Elementary school
  • Secondary school
  • Undergraduate school
  • Postgraduate school
  • Private school
  • Other place of education
Cocker spaniel service dog
American Cocker Spaniel Service Dog @bartek_spaniel_wspanialyOpens in a new tab.

Some examples of what a service dog might do to help a student in an educational environment include:

  • Service dogs can help with social phobias and separation anxiety disorder; a service dog can act as a transitional support so people living with these circumstances may be able to leave home and go to school
  • A service dog may alert a person who is living with diabetes that their blood sugar levels are becoming too high or low
  • A service dog may help someone living with cerebral palsy by assisting to open and close doors, pick up objects and can help in many other ways in the education environment

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973Opens in a new tab. service dog laws in Ohio prohibits disability discrimination in schools.

Service Dog Laws Ohio – Transportation

service dogs transportation
Psychiatric Service Dog “Sarge” @sarge.in.serviceOpens in a new tab.
Medical alert service dog
Medical Alert Service Dog @cricket_n_saraphenaOpens in a new tab.

People with service dogs have a right to bring their animals into transportation settings. This includes taxis and buses, and many other modes of transportation. Businesses and entities must allow people with disabilities who are using a service dog equal access to transportation in vehicles and facilities.

Ohio law states that a “public conveyance by air, land, or water” cannot deny a person with a disability because of their service dog. Nor can they charge an extra fee because of the service animal. An animal assistant is any animal that aids a person with a disability. Service dogs-in-training have the same rights as per Ohio state law.

Small service dog
Service dogs can be any shape, size, or breed. @vos_ptsd_servicedogOpens in a new tab.

Some guidelines for service dogs in transportation:

  • The dog may not occupy a seat
  • The dog must be leashed while using the facilities
  • Any dog in training to become an assistance dog must be covered by a liability insurance policy. It must be provided by the nonprofit special agency that is training the dog

Service Dog Laws Ohio – Air Travel

Psychiatric Service Dog at AIrport
Psychiatric Service Dog “Sarge” @sarge.in.serviceOpens in a new tab.

As per the ACAA (Air Carrier Access Act)Opens in a new tab., commercial airlines need to allow a service animal to accompany a passenger with a disability. This is true even if the dog may offend or annoy other people on the airplane.

The service dog must be allowed to accompany a passenger in any seat where the passenger sits unless the animal is blocking an aisle or another area that needs to remain clear in case of emergencies. Read more on our blog: American Airlines Service Dog Info – The Easy Guide

Documentation Required For Air Travel

service dog border collie
Border Collie @celestialbordercolliesOpens in a new tab.

Service animal documentation for air travel is often needed, even though it is not permitted in a general public-access setting. There are a variety of ways to present evidence or supporting documentation about a service animal to an airline.

One method is to show an identification card, or another written document, possibly from your doctor or medical professional. Another method is the credible verbal assurances of a qualified person who is using the service dog.

When flights are 8 hours or more, a commercial airline may request documentation that indicates the animal can relieve itself in a sanitary way that will not cause an issue on the flight.

If a passenger is seeking to travel with another type of working dog, such as an emotional support dog or psychiatric service dog, an airline may request documentation from a doctor or mental health professional, written on official letterhead. This could be from a licensed mental health professional, social worker, medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, or another doctor.

This documentation should state:

  • The passenger has an emotional or mental type of disability that has been recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fourth Edition;
  • The passenger needs the emotional support or psychiatric animal as an accommodation for air travel or for activity at the passenger’s destination
  • The individual providing the assessment is a licensed mental health professional and the passenger is under his or her professional care
  • The date and type of the mental health professional’s license and the state or other jurisdiction in which it was issued

Register & Certify Your Service Dog in Ohio

Service Animal Registration Not Necessary
Siberian Husky Service dog
Kylie’s “Lucy On Duty” @lucytheservicesibeOpens in a new tab.

The truth is that you are not legally required to register or certify a service dog in Ohio or any other state in the US. (*exception: if a city or county requires all dogs to get one).

Service dogs are protected under the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, and other laws. “Registration” and “certification” seem to be a thing through illegitimate websites online. These do not convey any legal rights under the ADA or the Department of Justice. Check out our blog “Which Service Dog Registry is Legitimate?” to learn more about registrations and why they are not required. 

Disability Rights Ohio

Disability Rights Ohio Opens in a new tab.

50 W. Broad St., Suite 1400

Columbus, Ohio 43215-5923

614-466-7264

800-282-9181

FAX 614-644-1888

TTY 614-728-2553 or 800-858-3542

Autism Service Dog
Goldendoodle Autism Service Dog “Piper” @bri.and.piperOpens in a new tab.

Sam Nelson

Sam is an experienced writer, advocate for people with disabilities and mental health, dog lover, artist, philosopher, and generally complicated human being.

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