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
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.
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.
Introduction to Service Dog Laws Ohio
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 State
Service Dog Laws Ohio – Multiple Laws
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:
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- The Fair Housing Act
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA)
- The Air Carrier Access Act
- The Ohio Revised Code
- The Ohio Administrative Code
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.
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 laws, 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.
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 Act, Air Carrier Access Act, as well as state laws, also provide similar definitions of “disability.”
Service Dog Laws Ohio – What is a Service Dog?
Although different entities (The ADA, the Fair Housing Act, and the Air Carrier Access Act) 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.
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 Act 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.
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.”
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
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.
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.
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
*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
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.
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.
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 – When Can a Service Dog Be Excluded?
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?
What Can & Can’t a Business Ask?
Under the ADA service dog laws Ohio, a business or entity may only ask two questions of a person with a service dog:
- Is the animal required because of a disability?
- 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 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
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
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.
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.
Service Dog Laws Ohio – Rights of Service Dog Trainers
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
The Fair Housing Act 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.
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 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.
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
The Fair Housing Act 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
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 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
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
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
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 1973 service dog laws in Ohio prohibits disability discrimination in schools.
Service Dog Laws Ohio – Transportation
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.
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
As per the ACAA (Air Carrier Access Act), 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 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
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
50 W. Broad St., Suite 1400
Columbus, Ohio 43215-5923
FAX 614-644-1888
TTY 614-728-2553 or 800-858-3542
Related Articles:
- ADA Service Dog Workplace Accommodation Laws
- ADA Service Dog Laws – General Guide & FAQ
- Emotional Support Animal Laws Ohio
