Service Animals in Housing

Following are relavant articles by the FHCO as well as several useful links. A few key things you should know, within the context of housing, about those with disabilities who require the aid of an animal:

• It doesn't matter what you call them (service animal, assistance animal, therapy animal, companion animal, aide animal, working animal, etc.)
• They are not pets and may not be treated as such (denied because "pets" aren't allowed, charged a fee / deposit / or rent specific to that assistance animal, etc.)
• Such animals are defined differently under fair housing laws than in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Fair Housing Act applies in all housing transactions (renting, sales, homeowners associations, etc.).

If you still have fair housing questions, contact the Fair Housing Hotline at 503/223-8197 Ext. 2 (Portland metro area) or 800/424-3247 Ext. 2 or at information@FHCO.org.

	return to top of page

FHCO Articles on Service Animals

• Common Questions about Service Animals

Related Resources Links

• Right to Emotional Support Animals in "No Pet" Housing, Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law Article
  http://bazelon.org/issues/housing/infosheets/fhinfosheet6.html
• Best Friends for Life: Humane Housing for Animals and People
  http://ddal.org/pubs/bestfriends
  This booklet explains the federal laws that protect your right to keep pets in all federally-assisted housing, and if you are disabled, your right to an assistive animal in all types of rental housing.
  Creature Comforts (a different perspective on service animals), The New York Times
• Helper Parrots, Guide Horses Face Legal Challenges, NPR Story & Audio File
  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98958273
• Assistance Monkeys, Ducks, Parrots, Pigs and Ducks ... Should the law protect them? Culture Dish Article
  http://scienceblogs.com/culturedish/2008/12/assistance_monkeys_ducks_parro.php
• Special Needs Therapy and Service Animals
  http://childrensdisabilities.info/therapy-service-animals/index.html
• The Delta Society
  http://www.deltasociety.org
  Read up on the therapeutic and beneficial value of animals on human health, especially for those with a physical or mental disability.
• Disabled Woman's Dog Has Its Day, Detroit Free Press Article
  http://www.petsincondos.org/DisabledWomansDog.htm
• The Guide Horse Foundation's Frequently Asked Miniature Horse Questions
  http://www.guidehorse.com/faq_horses.htm
  

	"Thank You" The FHCO would like to thank our partners and members for their support. Their grants and contributions have helped to make the resources on this site possible. Please join them in our efforts!

©2009. FHCO. All rights reserved.