We want to make working with Washington State Government easier

The state of Washington wants to learn more about your interactions with its government services to better support your needs. Please take this 15-minute survey https://watech1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_723xYcpmStRfemi?Agency=WDVA&Channel=website for a chance to win a $200 gift card (your choice of 1,000+ options)!

Service and Companion Animals

Contacts

Washington State Human Rights Commission
www.hum.wa.gov
1-800-233-3247

Northwest ADA Center
Toll-free: 800-949-4232
nwadactr@uw.edu
Videophone (VP): 425-233-8913
nwadacenter.org

 

 

Image
Service Dog photo

Laws and Rules on Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Housing 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a federal agency that administers the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Under the FHA, a service animal is defined as an animal that is a necessary reasonable accommodation for a person with a disability. Emotional support animals and comfort animals ARE included in the HUD definition and are therefore allowed into a person's dwelling.

There should be no "pet fee" for the service animal. The person with the disability must request the animal as a reasonable accommodation for the disability, and must be able to show that the animal is necessary because of the person's disability. 

How to Find an Animal:

  • There is no accrediting body to monitor organizations who train service animals in the State of Washington. 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 training is delivered in a professional way at all times.” If you are considering a service animal organization as a resource then the information shared at the ADI website (http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/members/accreditation/) may be of value to your decision-making process. 
  • Companion Animal Adoption Programs:

Points to Keep In Mind

  • Service animals are not pets, so a "no pets" policy does not apply
  • Service animals will often be identified with a harness or vest, but there is no requirement that the service animal have any identification
  • Businesses cannot ask the customer about his or her disability and cannot ask for proof of disability.
  • A service animal should remain in physical or voice control of its handler at all times; it should not urinate or defecate inside, be disruptive or aggressive. 

Where to go for More Information About Training, Laws and Rules:

If you need additional information, have additional questions, or wish to have training for your organization, please contact the Washington State Human Rights Commission at 360-753-6770 or 800-233-3247 (TTY 800-300-7525). Additional information on this and other civil rights issues can be found on our website at www.hum.wa.gov 

Washington State Human Rights Commission

www.hum.wa.gov or toll free 1-800-233-3247
“A neutral, law enforcement agency that can explain the law regarding service animals and provide technical assistance.”

Northwest ADA Center

Toll-free: 800-949-4232
Email: nwadactr@uw.edu
Videophone (VP): 425-233-8913
Website: nwadacenter.org

Washington State Office of the Attorney General

Service Animals Rights and Responsibilities / En Español