Terms & Conditions
Terms of use
ADAserviceanimals.org is a voluntary registry for those who meet the legal requirements for Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals. By accessing and using this website or services, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provisions of the Terms of Use (TOU). Additionally, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provisions of the TOU, if you choose to use any materials with references to ADAserviceanimals.org (regardless of their source, i.e., either made by you or purchased from a third party); use any materials we sell or provide on our website (including, but not limited to, identification cards, certificates, patches, animal tags, etc.); or refer to ADAserviceanimals.org in any way online or offline. All such terms, guidelines, or rules (including, but not limited to, our Privacy Policy) are hereby incorporated by reference into the TOU. All information on ADAserviceanimals.org, including, but not limited to, data and information provided by users and registrants, information provided by ADAserviceanimals.org both in online and offline form, shall be referred to as content.
When registering with ADAserviceanimals.org, we will provide you with a certificate that you can use for access to properties, airlines, and other essential spaces. Upon signing up, you will receive a photo ID certificate, and an entry into the largest Service Animal and Emotional Support Animal database in the United States. Additionally, we offer 24/7 access to legal professionals and support staff, so you can call anytime if you are having trouble gaining access to somewhere with your service animal.
What is a Service Animal
Basically, the service animal helps a person with a disability lead a more independent life. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is defined as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. While not all disabilities would be well served by service animals, there are a few common conditions that are, such as arthritis, blindness, deafness, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, paralysis, scoliosis, and seizures. Although a wide range of conditions may benefit from having a service dog, the only one who can ultimately make that determination is your doctor.
It is important to note that service animals are not pets. While they may be comforting companions, they are working dogs specifically trained to provide assistance related directly to their owner’s disability. The ADA makes a distinction between psychiatric service dogs and emotional support animals. For example, according to the ADA, “If the dog has been trained to sense that an anxiety attack is about to happen and take a specific action to help avoid the attack or lessen its impact, that would qualify as a service animal. If the dog’s mere presence provides comfort and has not been trained to perform a specific job or task, that would not be considered a service animal under the ADA.” However, some state or local governments have laws that allow people to take emotional support animals into public places. You may check with your State and local government agencies to find out about these laws.
Essential ID for Service Animals
The ADA does not require service animals to be certified or registered, but some individuals choose to have their service animals certified. Handlers are not required to carry identification or certification documents for their service animals. While there is no legal need to offer further identification, you will certainly run into people who are simply unaware of these regulations or do not deal with service animals on a regular basis. Simply carrying a certificate or having your dog wear identifying gear makes it easier for everyone.
However, we will only be willing to vouch for service animals after seeing a letter from a board-certified doctor. Expect to provide annual updates from your doctor to maintain certification. Additionally, businesses and entities covered by the ADA, such as restaurants, hotels, and stores, are generally not allowed to ask for proof of certification or training for a service animal. Be aware that state and local laws may have additional requirements or regulations regarding service animals, so check the specific laws in your jurisdiction for a comprehensive understanding of the rules surrounding service animals.
Traveling with Service Animals
In the United States, it is essential that all offices, businesses, and other facilities allow service animals. Generally speaking, any place that allows members of the public to enter must also accept service animals. There are exceptions to this rule, however, such as sterile environments like the operating room of a hospital. Nonetheless, it is imperative to have your animal properly restrained. According to ADA regulations, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered. Exceptions can be made for dogs that must be unrestrained to perform their role, but these service animals must be effectively controlled through trained signals.
Access to Housing with Service Animals
The Federal Fair Housing Act does not have an official definition of a service animal. Essentially, if your doctor believes that a service dog is necessary for your condition, this is typically sufficient for accessing housing. A “reasonable accommodation” must be made for service animals, allowing them even in spaces where animals are not typically allowed. Since these service animals are not considered pets, a “no pets” policy would not apply to them.
Flying with Service Animal
While the ADA has created guidelines that protect the rights of people and service animals, these rules exclusively apply when you are on the ground. In the air, laws are governed by the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). The ACAA’s laws are straightforward and safeguard the interests of those with service animals. According to these regulations, service animals must be allowed onboard any aircraft free of charge and space must be made for any essential gear such as food, water, dog crates, or other crucial medical equipment. However, service animals are not permitted to block the aisle, sit in the seat, or be in the emergency exit row, as it could compromise the safety of other passengers.
Airlines are permitted to make you fill out a form created by the Department of Transportation before taking a service animal on a flight. In these forms, the airlines may inquire about your dog’s training. You will be required to acknowledge that you understand that the airline can refuse transportation to you and your pet if the dog is aggressive or unruly.
Lastly, keep in mind that these regulations apply exclusively to the United States. If you are traveling outside of the country, check local laws.
We recommend ensuring smooth travel with your service dog by calling the airline as soon as your flight is booked. Each airline has a specific pet policy, and while service animals are not “pets”, airlines require adequate notice to make preparations for your flight to go as smoothly as possible. Depending on the size of your service dog, you may need to board early or request extra legroom to accommodate them.
Políticas de mascotas de la aerolínea
Start your official Service Animal Registration
You will create a password and account designation upon completing ADAServiceAnimals.org Service’s registration process. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the password and account and are fully responsible for all activities that occur under your password or account. You agree to (a) immediately notify ADAServiceAnimals.org of any unauthorized use of your password or account or any other breach of security, and (b) ensure that you exit from your account at the end of each session. ADAServiceAnimals.org cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with this Section 5.
SERVICE DOG AGREEMENT
I acknowledge that I am completing this form to voluntarily register my Service Dog with ADAserviceanimals.org. Registering my dog will provide me with identification materials to help others identify my Service Dog. Furthermore, I certify that my Service Dog has been trained to assist me with my disability. I am not registering for fraudulent misrepresentation of a Service Animal and understand that ADAserviceanimals.org is not certifying my service dog as such. My dog has been individually trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, and it must meet the legal requirements for this registration and identification materials to be valid, granting privileges such as access to housing and public places with a Service Dog.
Additionally, I understand that both federal and local laws regarding Service Dogs are subject to change in the future, and I will continue to abide by all current regulations. I am aware that additional documentation may be needed, as many airlines now require the signature of a licensed Mental Health Professional on airline-specific forms to be submitted in advance for traveling with my dog. Should any issues regarding access or privileges arise, I hold ADAserviceanimals.org and its agents harmless. I understand that ADAserviceanimals.org can provide no guarantees that landlords or any other third parties will be compliant and non-discriminatory with access and privileges protected by laws regarding service animals.
Your Registration Obligations
It is the responsibility of the registrants and users to understand and obey the law, both online and offline. You also agree to: (a) provide true, accurate, current, and complete information about yourself as prompted by ADAserviceanimals.org registration form (the “Registration Data”) and (b) maintain and promptly update the Registration Data to keep it true, accurate, current and complete. By submitting contributions to ADAserviceanimals.org through e-mail or survey pages, you acknowledge and agree that: (a) your contributions automatically become the property of ADAserviceanimals.org, without any obligation of ADAserviceanimals.org to you; (b) your contributions do not contain proprietary or confidential information; (c) ADAserviceanimals.org is not under any obligation of confidentiality, express or implied, with respect to them; (d) ADAserviceanimals.org shall be entitled to use or disclose (or not use or disclose) such contributions for any purpose, in any way, in any media worldwide; and (e) you are not entitled to any compensation or reimbursement of any kind from ADAserviceanimals.org under any circumstances.
Termination of Registration
You may terminate your ADAserviceanimals.org account and access to ADAserviceanimals.org services by deleting your registrations form within the Registry using the tools we provide.
You agree that ADAserviceanimals.org may, without prior notice, immediately terminate, limit your access to or suspend your ADAserviceanimals.org account and access to ADAserviceanimals.org services. Cause for such termination, limitation of access, or suspension shall include, but not be limited to: (a) breaches or violations of the TOU or other incorporated agreements or guidelines; (b) requests by law enforcement or other government agencies; (c) discontinuance or material modification to ADAserviceanimals.org services (or any part thereof); (d) unexpected technical or security issues or problems; (e) extended periods of inactivity; and (f) engagement by you in fraudulent or illegal activities including, but not limited to, provide any information that is untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete. Furthermore, you agree that all terminations, limitations of access, and suspensions for cause shall be made in ADAserviceanimals.org sole discretion, and ADAserviceanimals.org shall not be liable to you or any third party for any termination of your account or access to ADAserviceanimals.org services.
Termination of your ADAserviceanimals.org account includes any or all of the following: (a) removal of access to all or part of the offerings within ADAserviceanimals.org; (b) suspension, termination, or invalidation of your registration number; (c) deletion of your password and all related information, files and content associated with or inside your account (or any part thereof); and (d) barring of further use of all or part of ADAserviceanimals.org services. Your registration fee will not be refunded.
Limitation of Liability
You expressly understand and agree that, except as expressly provided in any other clause of this agreement and to the extent permitted by law, in no event or circumstance ADAserviceanimals.org, its affiliates, volunteers, employees, and partners shall be liable to you for any indirect, direct, consequential, special, incidental, exemplary, or punitive damages, including but not limited to mental anguish or suffering, personal injury, loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of potential profits or revenue, economic losses of any kind, loss of business opportunities, loss of business, loss of use of equipment, loss of time, cost of capital, cost of employees, cost of services rental, replacement of goods or equipment, loss of technology or data, loss of services, loss of rights, loss of clientele, loss of goodwill, loss of government benefits, and/or loss of any kind of tangible or intangible damages or losses, hereinafter collectively referred to as “damages” (even if ADAserviceanimals.org has been advised of the possibility of such damages), arising or that may arise from: (a) the use or the inability to use ADAserviceanimals.org service; (b) the cost of procurement of substitute goods and services; (c) unauthorized access to or alteration of your transmissions or data; (d) statements or conduct of any third party, online or offline; (e) any other matter relating to ADAserviceanimals.org services; and/or, (f) theories of contractual, quasi-contractual, or pre-contractual liability, tort liability (including, but not limited to, fault, negligence, or strict liability) or any other theory of liability. ADAserviceanimals.org liability of any kind will be limited to the actual amount paid by You to ADAserviceanimals.org.
You also acknowledge that part of our objective is to help connect Service and Assistance Dog users with trainers, breeders or any other company that may provide education or other benefits. You agree that your correspondence or business dealings with, or participation in promotions of, advertisers or resources found on or through ADAserviceanimals.org services, including payment and delivery of related goods or services, and any other terms, conditions, warranties, or representations associated with such dealings, are solely between you and such advertiser, resource or third party. Hence, you agree that ADAserviceanimals.org shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any sort incurred as the result of any such dealings or as the result of the presence of such advertisers or resources found on ADAserviceanimals.org.
ADAserviceanimals.org assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, deletion, mis-delivery, or failure to store any user communications or personalization settings. You are responsible for obtaining access to ADAserviceanimals.org services, and that access may involve third-party fees (such as Internet service provider or airtime charges). You are responsible for those fees, including those fees associated with the display or delivery of advertisements. In addition, you must provide and are responsible for all equipment (i.e. your computer, laptop, or other wireless device) necessary to access ADAserviceanimals.org services.
You understand and agree that ADAserviceanimals.org may include advertisements and that these advertisements are necessary for ADAserviceanimals.org to provide services. You also understand and agree that ADAserviceanimals.org services may include certain important communications from ADAserviceanimals.org, such as service announcements, administrative messages, and other informational updates, and that these communications are considered part of ADAserviceanimals.org membership and you will not be able to opt out of receiving them. Unless
explicitly stated otherwise, any new features that augment or enhance the current ADAserviceanimals.org services, including the release of new products, shall be subject to the TOU.
Trademark and Copyright Information
You agree that all trademarks, trade names, service marks, and other logos and brand features, access icons, and product and service names associated with ADAserviceanimals.org (“intellectual property”) are the property of ADAserviceanimals.org. Without prior permission from ADAserviceanimals.org, you agree not to display or use ADAserviceanimals.org’s intellectual property in any manner.
Choice of Law and Forum
You acknowledge and agree that this agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Any dispute or claim directly or indirectly related to this agreement, including its existence, validity, termination, construction, execution, or performance, shall be submitted for resolution to a panel of three arbitrators in San Juan, Puerto Rico: each party shall appoint one arbitrator; and the third arbitrator, who shall be a lawyer, shall be selected by the arbitrators of the parties. Each party shall pay the fees of the arbitrator he/she has selected; and the fees of the third arbitrator will be shared equally by both parties. Each party shall be represented by counsel, at its own expense and responsibility. The Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence of Puerto Rico, in force on the date of commencement of the proceedings, shall apply to the arbitration proceedings. The proceedings shall be recorded by the means determined by the panel of arbitrators. The panel’s award shall be based on the file, the admitted evidence, and the applicable law, and shall be notified to the parties. Either party shall have the right to request judicial review, before the Court of First Instance of San Juan, Puerto Rico, within the expiration period of thirty (30) days from the notification of the award that finally resolves the dispute. The court shall review the award based on the record before the panel of arbitrators to determine whether the findings of law and facts and the remedies granted were in accordance with the law.
Severability and Modification
This agreement shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. In the event that any court with jurisdiction determines that any of the clauses, provisions or conditions of this contract is void, invalid, or unenforceable to any extent —due to the broad or burdensome scope of its application or any other reason, including but not limited to changes in legislation or the judicial interpretation of applicable laws or regulations— the parties express their desire and intention that, in such case, the court shall modify and limit the terms of said clause, provision or condition to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and/or delete specific words or phrases in such provision to construct and conform it in accordance with the intention and will of the parties. If, notwithstanding the aforementioned, any of the clauses, provisions or conditions of this agreement shall be held or declared to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, it shall be deemed that it has never been part of the agreement, continuing in full force and effect the remaining clauses, provisions, and conditions.
Headings and Pronouns
The headings of sections in this agreement are provided for convenience and reference only, in no way define, limit, or describe the scope of this contract, or the intent of any provision hereof, and will have no legal or contractual effect, nor affect its construction or interpretation. A singular pronoun shall be deemed to include the masculine, the feminine, and the plural.