How To Register A Dog As A Service Animal In Washington State
Change in washington law about service animals starting january 1 2019 authored by.
How to register a dog as a service animal in washington state. If you are seeking legal advice please consult an attorney on occasion handlers of service animals may run into an access. Northwest justice project the state legislature has found that misrepresentations of pets therapy animals or emotional support animals as service animals has made it harder for people with disabilities to get acceptance of their properly trained and essential service animals. While the pet license fee is waived you will receive an annual renewal notice requesting your confirmation that your animal is still being used as a service. There is no accrediting body to monitor organizations who train service animals in the state of washington. Registration for service dog is not required.
While it is possible to register or certify a service dog the truth is there is no legitimate registration service or official certification required by the ada americans with disabilities act which protects and governs people who use service dogs. Raskc service animal definition a service animal is an animal that does work performs tasks or provides medically necessary support for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Assistance dogs international adi is an organization whose mission it is to ensure a service animal organization does adhere to quality standards where dogs are treated humanely clients are treated with respect and dignity and. Washington state service animal laws this is a guide to the laws regarding the use and access rights of service animals in washington state. All cover service animal registration in washington state.
At usa service dog registration we have helped thousands of families register their service animals and emotional support animals. These animals help us cope with mental illnesses. Rcw 49 60 040 defines a dog guide as a dog that is trained for the purpose of guiding blind persons or. We understand how important our dogs are for emotional support and service. Others charge a fee.
Service animal definition the following are definitions described in rcw 49 60 040. These tips are based off of personal experience and observations as an advocate and as the handler of a service dog. The washington state human rights commission defines a service dog as an animal that is trained for the purpose of assisting or accommodating a disabled person s sensory mental or physical disability the rules of washington state s law against discrimination defines a disability as. Several national service animal registries operate in the united states at the time of publication these included the service animal registry of america the national service animal registry and the united states service dog registry. Some registries are free.