What Community Associations Should Know About Assistance Animals

​by Phoebe E. Neseth, Esq.

Close to 80 million U.S. households have an animal in their home. Pets come in all shapes and sizes and provide companionship to their respective families, but there also are animals that play an important role in the lives of people with disabilities and mental health issues by assisting with day-to-day activities or giving emotional support.
In honor of May being National Pet Month, we offer a summary of what constitutes an assistance animal, laws and regulations that apply to their ownership, and the approach community associations can take to rules and regulations specific to these animals.
Federal laws such as the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as state and local laws govern assistance animals in community associations (commonly known as homeowners associations, condominiums, and housing cooperatives.) Assistance animals are categorized in three groups:

• Service animals. Specifically trained to work or perform tasks for individuals with physical disabilities.
• Therapy animals. Provide psychological or physiological benefit to individuals or groups in a clinical environment.
• Emotional support animals. Provide comfort to people with mental health issues.

​Read the full article here
article courtesy of CAI Advocacy Team