April 9, 2025
Samantha Poole, Membership & Business Development Director
If I have a “no pets” policy, am I still required to allow service animals?
Yes. A service animal is not a pet. The ADA requires the business to make an exception to the "no pets" policy to allow the use of a service animal by a person with a disability.
What am I permitted to do when someone comes in with a service animal?
The service animal must be permitted to accompany its owner to all areas of the facility where customers and the public are normally allowed to go. They may not be segregated from other customers.
Are “service animals in training” considered service animals in the eyes of the law?
No.
Do restaurants have to allow service animals to be seated at, or fed at, the table?
No. The ADA gives a person with a disability the right to be accompanied by his or her service animal, but an establishment is not required to allow an animal to sit or be fed at the table.
Can a person bring a service animal with them as they go through a salad bar or other self-service food lines?
Yes. Service animals must be allowed to accompany their handlers to and through self service food lines.
How should I let the public know my business welcomes service animals, but otherwise do not allow pets on the premises?
To help business owners and their teams comply with applicable laws addressing service animals in public places, the Governor’s Commission on Disability has a free decal that can be displayed on the front door or window of your business. The decal states “Service Animals Welcome,” and that it is illegal to misrepresent a pet as a service animal. The decal includes an informational brochure for business owners or employees explaining what questions may be asked when an animal is brought onto the premises to determine if it meets the requirements of a service animal.
This is not to be used in lieu of legal guidance but to assist with an organization's ongoing training. Please review your legal obligations with your legal representative and see NH and US DOL documents linked for further information. This document was prepared April 2025 based on information available virtually through the NH DOL and US DOL online resources.