Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1208028
Ta k e 5 a n d t r y A B M P F i v e - M i n u t e M u s c l e s a t w w w. a b m p . c o m / f i v e - m i n u t e - m u s c l e s . 87 dogs may not be excluded based on stereotypes or assumptions about how a particular breed might behave (according to perceived stereotypes). However, if a service animal does act in a way that poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, has a history of such behavior, or is not under the control of the handler, that animal may be excluded. If an animal is excluded, staff must still offer services to the client in the absence of the service dog. 3 Rules for MTs According to ADA service animal laws, you may not ask about the nature or extent of a client's disability—or require them to show proof—if a person's need for a service dog is obvious (for example, the dog is guiding a blind individual or is pulling a wheelchair). But, if you are unsure of the nature or extent of a client's disability, you may only ask these two questions: • Is this animal required because of a disability? (Don't ask: "What is your disability?") • What work or task has this animal been trained to perform? While these questions are vague, they are the only questions you can legally ask. The client may respond vaguely as well ("Yes, she is a service dog and alerts to a medical condition."), which can be frustrating, but the law prohibits asking for any further details or explanation. Also, you cannot require documentation (such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal) or require the animal to wear an identifying vest. 4 A client handler may be asked to remove their service dog from your place of business if the dog is not housebroken or poses any threat to health and safety. Keep in mind, though, that allergies or the fear of dogs do not qualify as valid reasons to deny access to your business. If you do need to ask that a service dog be removed from your business for a legitimate reason, you must allow the client to come back without their canine companion to receive their bodywork. Rules for Handlers Service dogs provide a vital service for people with disabilities and are afforded several rights under the ADA. That said, handlers and their service animals do have responsibilities under the law when out in public and/or visiting business establishments. First, service dogs must be leashed, harnessed, or tethered, according to the ADA, unless these devices interfere with the dog's work—or the handler's disability makes it impossible to use these restraints. In that case, the service dog must be kept under control through its handler's voice or other signals. Second, it is the handler's responsibility to ensure that their service dog is properly trained and behaves appropriately in public. If a service dog is aggressive and the handler cannot control it, you are permitted to ask that the animal be removed from your business. One MT's Experience At The Mommy Spa in Los Gatos, California, owner and operator Lindsay MacInnis recalls working with three client/service dog teams. "Two were fine," MacInnis says, "but one client's 'service dog' was not really a trained service dog. The dog no doubt helped the client with her anxiety, but [it] was aggressive toward other people." Because of this aggression, MacInnis made arrangements to visit her client in the client's home. When working with client/service dog teams, MacInnis says she puts a blanket on the floor of her treatment room for the dog to lie down on and relax. "Our office is dog friendly," she says, "so it's not a problem." Her office is also large enough and provides plenty of space, so the service dog is not underfoot. One consideration, MacInnis says, is the possibility that clients may be allergic to animals. "Since it is mostly saliva and urine that people have allergic reactions to," she says, "I make time to quickly mop the floor, and I have an air cleaner I can run." One client claimed to be allergic to dogs, but "in truth, turned out to be [afraid] of dogs," according to MacInnis. To remedy the situation, she scheduled more time between clients to "quickly mop the floor and avoid contact." Regarding ESAs, MacInnis says she welcomes emotional support animals if they are nonaggressive and well socialized. "It's a bit tricky," she says, "as it's pretty easy to establish an animal as an ESA these days. But, as an animal lover, I really have no problem with this." Notes 1. ADA National Network, "Service Animals," 2017, accessed February 2020, www.adata.org/factsheet/service-animals. 2. US Department of Justice, "Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA," 2015, accessed February 2020, www.ada. gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html. 3. US Department of Justice, "Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA." 4. US Department of Justice, "Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA." Lisa Bakewell is a full-time freelance writer, editor, perpetual learner, and lover of life in Chicagoland. Her areas of writing expertise include health and wellness, travel, parenting, personal/company profiles, technology, and a plethora of "how-to" articles (her favorite!). She can be reached at lbakewell@att.net.