Can A Hotel Refuse A Service Dog?

Many people travel with their companion animals, but for some people, they are more than just adorable little companions – they are service animals. But can anyone bring their service dog to a hotel, and can a hotel refuse a service dog?

We have covered almost everything that you need to know about service animals and related state or local laws. There is also a list of hotels that allow service animals attached to this blog. So, keep scrolling!

Can A Hotel Refuse A Service Dog?

No, according to ADA, a hotel cannot deny a service dog unless its actions override the premises’ legitimate safety requirements or “fundamentally alter” the character of the goods and services. Although in some contexts, such as an operating room, where a sterile atmosphere must be maintained, access may be denied. 

Nonetheless, service animals cannot be barred from other areas where the general public can visit.

Furthermore, if a service dog is out of control and the handler does not use effective management measures, or if the animal is not housebroken, that animal may be removed by the hotel staff. 

A service animal may also be denied if its behavior is a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

What Can You Do If A Hotel Refuses Your Service Dog?

If a hotel refuses a service dog, you can file a complaint with the US Department of Justice. Because service animals are protected under several statutes such as the ADA, ACAA, FHA, etc, you can bring a private lawsuit in federal court charging the entity with discrimination under ADA.

Moreover, you can seek legal counsel to learn about further choices and consequences.

Can Hotels Charge For A Service Dog?

According to ADA standards, hotels should not charge guests any extra fees for accommodating a service dog. They have to accommodate the guest and their animal for the same fee. The reason for this is that support animal, specifically support dogs, are essential for their handlers’ proper movement.

Hotels can, however, charge the handler for any damage or destruction caused by their service animal.

They sometimes demand a cleaning fee and a refundable security deposit. Also, there may be some extra charges for providing the dog with meals.

Most good hotels provide this information along with the rules regarding service animals beforehand. 

This makes it critical to supervise them at all times and adhere to the hotel’s service animal policies and procedures.

Do All Hotels Allow Service Dogs and Animals?

Yes, most hotels allow service animals such as service dogs. Several disability acts make it illegal to refuse a service animal purely on the basis of discrimination. The hotel may, however, withdraw the service animal if it is not well trained and getting out of control.

There are a few other reasons that can lead to the refusal of entry of a service dog in a hotel:

• If the animal makes too much noise, it disturbs other guests and disrupts hotel operations.
• If the animal does too much damage in the hotel’s public areas like swimming pools, it will impede the hotel’s routine business.

It is difficult to plan a trip with a service animal. 

Above all, if a hotel staff refuses to let your service dog in as you are about to check-in, it will be a nightmare. 

Many hotels do put up a sign saying “no pets,” but that doesn’t mean that they can refuse your service animal. 

This is the legal right of people with disabilities to stay with their trained service dog.

Below we have prepared a list of one of the best hotel chains that happily put the sign “service dogs allowed” at their front desk and provide designated rooms for their disabled guests.

Hotel Chains That Allow Service Animals In the US:

Is A Service Animal And A Pet Same?

A service animal is not the same as a house pet. Pets can be anything from an emotional support animal to a companion or therapy animals. 

Service animals, however, are individually trained to perform activities for a person with a disability and are protected under the disabilities act. 

They are granted unique privileges under the ADA that may not be granted to pets or other types of animals.

A service animal is one that has been “individually trained to accomplish tasks or perform duties for an individual with a disability in their everyday life,” according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Keep in mind, however, that a service animal does not have to be properly trained or certified to be considered a service animal. 

The sign that says no pets allowed does not include service animals since they’re not pets.

A pet is just an animal that is loved and cared for. A service animal, on the other hand, is one that has been trained to assist a disabled owner.

Is Service Animal Certification Required For A Service Dog To Enter A Hotel?

No, it is not necessary as per the guidelines given by the ADA. This means if a hotel denies you entry based on the lack of documentation for your service animal, it will be considered illegal. However, it is important for the dogs to be trained enough.

Most importantly, during the stay, the service dog should not cause any ruckus or harm to other guests.

Although there are individuals and organizations that sell service animal certification or registration documents online, these documents do not convey any rights under the ADA.

Moreover, the Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that the dog is a service animal.

This is because as per the ADA, individuals can train their dogs themselves. 

However, certificates do provide a better chance for people to distinguish between a pet and a service animal.

There are various dog certification service providers, like Service Dog Certifications, that generate cards and certificates for the animals. 

The certification and registration processes protect your privacy by removing the need for you to answer questions about your impairment to the hotel manager as well as other strangers. 

They also offer a variety of services, like psychiatric service dogs and emotional support animal certification, registration, and accessories like IDs and vests. 

Yet, these things are not mandatory as per ADA rules.

How To Check In To A Hotel With A Service Dog?

All you have to do to check in with a service dog is adhere to the help desk’s directions. These guidelines are really straightforward. You must first enter your information, and pay, and then a suitable room will be provided for you. 

The comprehensive step-by-step instructions are listed below.

Step 1: Fill in the details.

As soon as you reach the hotel’s help desk, you will be asked about some basic personal information like your name, age, identity proof, and so on. 

These details are important for the hotel to maintain customer records. They also help them to serve their guests more efficiently. You just need to fill out these details accurately.

Step 2: Provide some basic information.

The hotel employees may inquire about your service animal after learning more about you, such as what kind of task the dog has been taught to do or who is responsible for looking after it. 

The ADA allows for these queries. They are not permitted to pose any uncomfortable or unrelated queries, though.

Although it is not required, and the hotel cannot refuse your access based on the proof of your service animal, but, you may show the documents if you have them.

Step 3: Make the payment.

Once all the basic details are filled out and the hotel has found a room suitable for you, you have to make the payment for the room. 

This payment can be made online or offline, as per the hotel’s decision. This confirms the booking of the room.

Additional Considerations Before Checking In:

Before booking, you should confirm whether or not the hotel has a service dog facility. 

Numerous hotels offer special rooms for guests traveling with service animals. 

These rooms have been designed with accessible features for those with disabilities. Nonetheless, this does not restrict people with disabilities to booking a pet-friendly room only.

The ADA states that there is no predetermined process to follow while checking into a hotel, which is another thing that should be kept in mind. 

However, you should confirm that the hotel has ample amenities for a comfortable stay for you and your service dog before making a reservation.

Do Service Dogs Have To Be Marked Before Checking Into A Hotel?

As per ADA requirements, a service dog does not have to be marked prior to check-in. Even no markings are necessary for them. They can just accompany their handler like any other pet dog. However, if the owner so chooses, they can dress up their dog.

For service animals, a number of platforms offer certification and markings. 

Vests, unique harnesses, and IDs are some of these marks. However, neither the ADA requires them nor does it acknowledge them.

However, because they make it simpler for people to move around, people make use of these markings. So, it is at your discretion to mark your dog before checking into a hotel.

FAQs

Can A Hotel Ask For Proof Of Service Animals?

According to the guidelines in the Americans with Disabilities Act, no hotel can ask for proof of a service animal. Additionally, they also can not deny entry to you only because you didn’t provide proof or proper documents. So, you can skip carrying documents of proof of service.

What Can A Hotel Ask About A Service Dog?

When booking, certain hotels may question if you have a service animal; simply respond with your answer. Some hotels have specific rooms where impaired people and their service dogs can stay comfortably. Although neither the certification nor the document is required, you may be asked questions at the front desk. 

They are as follows:

• Is the dog a service animal that is required due to a disability?
• What kind of work or task has the dog been trained to do?
• Who is designated to look after and supervise the service animal?

The handler is responsible for the service animal’s care and supervision.

This includes toileting, feeding, grooming, and veterinary care.

Service animals are not obliged to be supervised or cared for by hotel staff or other covered entities.

Do Marriott Hotels Allow Emotional Support Dogs?

Yes, all hotels and resorts branded under Marriott in the US allow service dogs. Marriott International Inc. abides by local, state, and federal laws governing service animals as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). No pet fee is levied upon visitors traveling with a service animal. 

However, if a service animal messes up the accommodation or causes damage, there can be fees involved.

Conclusion

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against service animals based solely on their status as such. 

Keeping this in mind, many hotels also allow access to service animals without charging a cleaning fee. 

However, not all hotels might be able to offer these amenities, so make sure to inquire at the front desk before checking in.