- Joined
- May 22, 2008
- Messages
- 16,110
- Reaction score
- 762
We had many discussions about therapy dogs. It has just come up on PAII Forum. Hoyt Dottry of Walnut Lane Inn in SC posted this that really answers everything regarding what we must do with THERAPY animals.
I did some research and on the below website, scroll down to “Classification of Therapy Dogs” and read the verbiage. I have also pasted it below. I think this is a clear description that these are two completely different categories and the ADA laws do not apply to therapy animals.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therapy_dog
This is a copy and paste: Therapy dogs are not service or assistance dogs. Service dogs directly assist humans, and have a legal right to accompany their owners in most areas. In the United States, service dogs are legally protected at the federal level by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Therapy dogs do not provide direct assistance and are not mentioned in the Americans with Disabilities Act.[1] Institutions may invite, limit, or prohibit access by therapy dogs. If allowed, many institutions have rigorous requirements for therapy dogs.
Also: http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/companimals/assist.htm
Social/Therapy Animals
Social/therapy animals provide emotional support in places such as elder care facilities and hospitals. These animals do not have the same legal status as assistance/service animals and are not mentioned in the ADA. Many visiting therapy dogs help physically stimulate people in nursing homes or assisted living facilities by playing ball, being brushed or pet, and going for walks. Although many therapy animals are dogs, any type of animal that is good natured can be used to provide these services. Some animals, including horses, help in reaching people that were once thought unreachable.
I did some research and on the below website, scroll down to “Classification of Therapy Dogs” and read the verbiage. I have also pasted it below. I think this is a clear description that these are two completely different categories and the ADA laws do not apply to therapy animals.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therapy_dog
This is a copy and paste: Therapy dogs are not service or assistance dogs. Service dogs directly assist humans, and have a legal right to accompany their owners in most areas. In the United States, service dogs are legally protected at the federal level by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Therapy dogs do not provide direct assistance and are not mentioned in the Americans with Disabilities Act.[1] Institutions may invite, limit, or prohibit access by therapy dogs. If allowed, many institutions have rigorous requirements for therapy dogs.
Also: http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/companimals/assist.htm
Social/Therapy Animals
Social/therapy animals provide emotional support in places such as elder care facilities and hospitals. These animals do not have the same legal status as assistance/service animals and are not mentioned in the ADA. Many visiting therapy dogs help physically stimulate people in nursing homes or assisted living facilities by playing ball, being brushed or pet, and going for walks. Although many therapy animals are dogs, any type of animal that is good natured can be used to provide these services. Some animals, including horses, help in reaching people that were once thought unreachable.
![Bed & Breakfast Tracker Plus [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51m1WPxMV7L._SL500_.jpg)
![Bed & Breakfast Tracker Plus for Mac [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51iSnnH5vmL._SL500_.jpg)
