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MSU has a new member: Pebbles, an emotional support dog for students
Montclair State University has a new member: Pebbles, an emotional support dog for students on campus.
In recent years, more and more pet owners have begun bringing their dogs and other animals into restaurants, supermarkets and other public places where entry was long prohibited, sometimes leading to clashes between customers and operators and prompting warnings from the health authority.
One group – service animals – have almost always been allowed in all facilities thanks to federal law to assist their disabled owners.
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 when she or her staff refused to allow a service animal into the doctor’s office.
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Details of the case have not been made public, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced late last week that it had reached a settlement with Hackensack Meridian Health to resolve charges against a Monmouth County gynecologist who did not allow a patient with disabilities to bring a service animal to an appointment at the office.
The ADA only recognizes dogs and miniature horses as service animals that assist the blind, the hearing impaired, people with seizures, and several other disabilities.
Service animals are allowed in hospitals and doctor’s offices, but may not be allowed in certain areas “where they would pose a threat to the health and safety of patients, such as an operating room,” according to the Legal Services of New Jersey statement.
Hackensack Meridian pays patients and makes policy changes
As part of the agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Hackensack Meridian will pay the patient an undisclosed amount of money.
It will also make “reasonable changes to policies, practices and procedures” to allow service animals of people with disabilities access to all medical offices. The network will also ensure that all medical office staff receive a printed copy of Hackensack Meridian’s service animal policy and receive training on the federal law.
Hackensack Meridian Health “is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all patients,” said spokesman Ben Goldstein. “HMH has long had an ADA-compliant service animal policy and takes steps to ensure all of our staff are appropriately trained. This is part of our commitment to continually do better for the patients and communities we serve.”
Service animal vs. emotional support animal vs. pets
To ensure the most sterile environment possible, pets are generally prohibited in hospitals and doctor’s offices.
Service animals should not be confused with emotional support animals, which are not necessarily trained but are granted special privileges after being certified by a clinician.
Under the ADA, service animals have the right to accompany their owners almost anywhere.
There are no such reliefs for emotional support animals, but a court ruled in 2014 that the Fair Housing Act gives them the right to live anywhere with their owners, including in residential homes.
