Must a Hospital Allow a Disabled Patient to Keep a Service Animal in Their Room?

Does a hospital have to allow an in-patient with a disability to keep a service animal in his or her room?

Generally, yes. Service animals must be allowed in patient rooms and anywhere else in the hospital the public and patients are allowed to go.

They cannot be excluded on the grounds that staff can provide the same services.

Does the ADA require that service animals be certified as service animals?

No. Covered entities may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry.

There are individuals and organizations that sell service animal certification or registration documents online.

These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA and the Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that the dog is a service animal.

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