In recent years, more pet owners have been bringing dogs and other animals into public places such as restaurants and supermarkets that have long been off-limits, sometimes sparking clashes between customers and store managers and warnings from health authorities.
One group, service animals, have almost always been allowed in all facilities because of federal law to help owners with disabilities.
But the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark says a doctor at one of New Jersey’s largest health care networks violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by refusing to allow himself and his staff access to service animals in his medical office.
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Details of the case have not been made public, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced over the weekend that it had reached an agreement with Hackensack Meridian Health to resolve allegations that a Monmouth County obstetrician-gynecologist did not allow patients with disabilities to bring service animals to appointments.
The ADA only recognizes dogs and miniature horses as service animals to help people who are blind, deaf, epileptic or have other disabilities.
According to New Jersey Legal Services, service animals are allowed in hospitals and clinics, but may be prohibited from certain areas “where they may pose a risk to the health or safety of patients, such as operating rooms.”
Hackensack Meridian pays patients, changes policy
Under the agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Hackensack Meridian will pay an unspecified amount to patients.
The network will also make “reasonable modifications to policies, practices and procedures” to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals to all clinic locations, and will ensure all employees working in its clinics have a hard copy of Hackensack Meridian’s service animal policy and receive training on federal law.
Hackensack Meridian Health is “committed to providing a warm and welcoming environment for all patients,” spokesman Ben Goldstein said. “Hackensack Meridian Health has had a long-standing ADA-compliant service animal policy and has taken steps to ensure all employees are properly trained. This is part of our commitment to continue to better serve the patients and communities we serve.”
Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals vs. Pets
To maintain as sterile an environment as possible, pets are generally not allowed in hospitals or clinics.
Service animals should not be confused with emotional support animals, which are not necessarily trained but are given special rights if certified by a clinician.
Under the ADA, service animals have the right to go almost anywhere with their owners.
Emotional support animals have no such considerations, although a court ruled in 2014 that the Fair Housing Act gives them the right to live anywhere with their owners, including in dorms.