Requirement 4: Service Animals

• 

  Requirement four states that organizations and their employees must allow service animals in the public areas of the premises.

  What is a service animal?

  Service animals are working animals that are trained to meet the needs of their handlers with a disability.

  How do you know if an animal is a service animal?

  A service animal might wear a harness or vest. Many, but not all handlers carry documentation, such as a letter from a health professional or service animal trainer, which states that they require the animal because of a disability-related need.

  
  

• Important Reminder

  A handler need not disclose a diagnosis or personal health information.

• What can you do to meet this requirement?

  
  

  1. Focus on your customer. A service animal should not be touched or distracted.
  2. The service animal must be under control at all times. If the customer is not controlling the service animal, you may offer a warning and eventually ask them to leave.
  3. Consider including the statement “service animals are welcome, but pets are not allowed” in your registration information, event details, or business/organization information. The Manitoba Accessibility Office can provide you with an image for individual use, and/or an adhesive decal for windows (see below). This message also alerts people with allergies to come up with solutions, if necessary, in advance of arrival.
  4. Not sure if an animal is a service animal? Here are some tips:
     • You can ask: “Has this animal been trained to help with a disability-related need?
     • Consider asking for documentation only when it is not obvious that the animal is providing a service.

The Manitoba Accessibility Office's "Service Animals Welcome" Decals

1. Small Service Animals Welcome Decal (PDF)
2. Large Service Animals Welcome Decal (PDF)