City of Vaughan

Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, privately owned businesses serving the public, such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, taxicabs, theatres, concert halls and sports facilities, are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act requires businesses and organizations to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed.

Some, but not all, service animals wear special collars and harnesses, are licensed or certified, or have identification papers. If you are uncertain, you may ask the person who has the animal if it is a service animal required because of a disability. As not all disabilities are visible, it is important to remember you cannot ask someone if they have a disability or about the nature of their disability. If it is not readily apparent (you cannot tell if the person has a disability or that the animal is a service animal), you are permitted to ask people with service animals to show documentation from a regulated health professional stating the animal is a service animal and needed for reasons of disability.

The service animal must be permitted to accompany the individual with a disability to all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. An individual with a service animal may not be segregated from other customers or their service animal.

Yes – a service animal is not a pet. This does not mean you must abandon your “no pets” policy altogether, but you must make an exception to your general rule to allow service animals.

The care or supervision of a service animal is solely the responsibility of its owner. You are not required to provide care, food or a special location for the animal.