Service Animals

Beginning on March 15, 2011, dogs are only recognized as service animals under titles II and III of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).


How Service Animal Is Defined


  • Guiding people who are blind
  • Alerting people who are deaf
  • Pulling a wheelchair
  • Alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure
  • Reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications
  • Calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack
  • Performing other duties as needed




Where Service Animals Are Allowed


For example, in a hospital it would be inappropriate to exclude a service animal from areas such as patient rooms, clinics, cafeterias, or examination rooms. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from operating rooms or burn units where the animal’s presence may compromise a sterile environment.

Service Animals Must Be Under Control


Inquiries, Exclusions, Charges & Other Specific Rules Related to Service Animals

  • People with disabilities who use service animals cannot be isolated from other patrons, treated less favorably than other patrons, or charged fees that are not charged to other patrons without animals. In addition, if a business requires a deposit or fee to be paid by patrons with pets, it must waive the charge for service animals.
  • If a business such as a hotel normally charges guests for damage that they cause, a customer with a disability may also be charged for damage caused by himself or his service animal.
  • Staff are not required to provide care or food for a service animal.

Miniature Horses

In addition to the provisions about service dogs, the Department’s revised ADA regulations have a new, separate provision about miniature horses that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities (miniature horses generally range in height from 24 inches to 34 inches measured to the shoulders and generally weigh between 70 and 100 pounds).

Entities covered by the ADA must modify their policies to permit miniature horses where reasonable. The regulations set out four assessment factors to assist entities in determining whether miniature horses can be accommodated in their facility. The assessment factors are:

  1. Whether the miniature horse is housebroken
  2. Whether the miniature horse is under the owner’s control
  3. Whether the facility can accommodate the miniature horse’s type, size, and weight
  4. Whether the miniature horse’s presence will not compromise legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operation of the facility

For more information about the ADA, visit their website.

Obtaining a Service Animal License

To obtain a Service Animal License, complete the application (PDF) and the following steps and submit the following materials to the Beaumont Police Department:

  1. Completed Service Dog License Agreement Affidavit
  2. Provide current Rabies Certificate. The certificate must include what type of vaccine given, lot number and manufacturer. Must cover at least one year for licensing. Rabies vaccination cannot be expired past 30 days to be honored as a 3 year vaccination.
  3. Proof of spay/neuter certificate if your dog is altered.
  4. Copy of State issued Identification, Driver’s License or Passport to verify residency.
  5. Provide any information or documentation of how this service dog assists you to determine they meet the criteria. According to ADA Standards, it is a violation to ask what your disability is; however, we can ask what this dog does for your disability.
  6. Proof of service training for your dog if you are applying as a handler.

The Animal Control Officer will review the application and contact you to issue the license. For more information, contact the Police Department at 951-769-8500.