What is Arkansas state law on guide dogs--Are establishments with food in the open required to allow a guide dog inside the building?

Answer

The Americans With Disabilities Act generally requires businesses, including food establishments, to modify policies to permit service animals (including guide dogs) to accompany their disabled handler wherever the general public are allowed. The general rule of thumb where food is involved is that where special clothing is not required a service animal must be permitted. Where special clothing is required, such as food preparation areas, a service animal may be excluded and in fact must be excluded if necessary to comply with health statutes or ordinances.

Since a typical patron of a restaurant isn't asked to don a hairnet, latex gloves and an apron while in the dining area of the establishment, a service animal (including a guide dog) should be permitted to accompany a disabled handler there.

For more information on the ADA, visit the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division website at:

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/archive/qasrvc.htm

For an overview of Arkansas state laws related to service dogs, visit http://servicedogcentral.org/content/node/4

Answer:

A guide dog may go anywhere. unless it would interfere with the businesses operations, or create sanitary issues, IE a kitchen in a restaurant.

First answer by Dog-ma. Last edit by Kirsten07734. Contributor trust: 18 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 20 [recommend question]