Legal Advice: Emotional-Support Animals

Do you really have to accommodate that emotional-support turtle?

Q: “Are businesses required to accommodate emotional-support animals the same way they would other types of service animals?”

A: “From the 10,000-foot overview, the answer is no. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) distinguishes between emotional-support animals and other service animals. There’s a very specific definition in the ADA of what a service animal is. With respect to emotional-support animals, businesses are generally not required to accommodate them the same way. The Denver Commission for People with Disabilities has published a helpful fact sheet that likely will answer most business owners’ questions.”—Spencer J. Kontnik, partner, Kontnik Cohen, LLC

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