Requirements For A Service Dog In Florida

All dogs and cats 3 months of age and older transported into florida must have a current rabies vaccination.
Requirements for a service dog in florida. The requirements you need to meet in florida to qualify for an emotional support animal letter are the same as in the other states. Florida s service animal law applies to animals that are trained to do work or perform tasks for someone with a physical mental psychiatric sensory or intellectual disability. Most airlines require a health certificate issued by a licensed and accredited veterinarian within seven to 10 days of travel. A person who with reckless disregard interferes with or permits a dog that he or she owns or is in the immediate control of to interfere with the use of a service animal by obstructing intimidating or otherwise jeopardizing the safety of the service animal or its user commits amisdemeanor of the second degree for the first offense and a.
2 emotional support animals not service animals. 1 can be a dog could it be stated that of this one dog it may be a service. The truth is that you are not legally required to register or certify a service dog in florida or any other state in the us. A recent florida case involving a condominium association and the dog of a 70 year old army veteran and widower drew national attention after it was covered initially in the orlando sentinel.
Like all other 49 states florida emotional support animal laws are bound by the americans with disabilities act in regards to service dogs and esas. Consistent with the ada to defer to local laws that prohibit certain breeds of dogs based on local concerns. A service animal is not a pet. New york city service dogs must be licensed by the city s department of health.
Service dogs are protected under the ada americans with disabilities act. Adequate proof of current vaccination must be from a licensed veterinarian. Florida law and the ada differ in some ways but public accommodations in florida must comply with both sets of laws and their patrons are entitled to rely on under the ada and florida law owners of public accommodations. The work the animal does must be directly related to the person s disability.
The newspaper s reports chronicle how the association for the orange tree village condominium is attempting to ban the dog because it weighs 41 pounds. For purposes of subsections 2 3 and 4 the term service animal is limited to a dog or miniature horse. This means that an individual with a certified emotional support animal can fly with their companion in the cabin of an airline and should also be allowed to live in a housing unit that doesn t.