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The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) legislation, enacted in 1990, is so vague that it has created two classes of service animals. The first is for animals that perform a specific task – Guide Dogs for the blind, wheelchair assistance, hearing dogs, and animals that can detect medical emergencies, like seizures, and summon help. These dogs have been specifically trained for their service mission.

The problem is the second classification – emotional support animals. All animals – lizards, chickens and snakes – can be designated service animals because they lend emotional support to the owner. In most cases they have no task-specific training. While this definition is currently under review, it has placed an enormous burden on those people who truly have a Service Animal.

This burden is particularly identified in airports and restaurants. While not required under law, it is often recommended that the handler/owner carry an ID card for their service animal. This ID card will often include such information as a picture of the dog and its name, handler/owner’s name, city, state, and microchip number or registry if available. Additional information explaining the ADA law, with reference to Department of Justice phone numbers or web address, is usually printed on the card as well.

By carrying a Service Dog ID Card the owner/handler will more times than not avoid the situations that arise when an animal is taken into a public area. This is particularly true when traveling with the service animal on an aircraft. While airline employees are supposed to be trained in this area of the law, many sometimes forget. The card will quickly explain to the check in person that you are allowed to have your dog with you on the plane.

Bringing your Service Dog into a restaurant, theater, or other public venue can also create some problems unless you can explain that your dog is allowed access under Federal law. Of course this means that you animal must be suited for crowded environments and trained to act properly around people. This is another case where a Service Dog ID Card will be of value.

It is important to have a card that properly identifies your service dog as exactly that, a Service Dog. There are other types of cards that will identify Therapy, Emotional Support, Work, and other types of dogs that will not have ADA information on them. To see these and other types of ID cards and badges visit http://www.familyidkit.com.

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