Service Animals for People with Disabilities

As defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, a “service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.”

The ADA limits the definition of Service Animals to dogs and miniature horses. Therapy dogs, emotional support dogs and companion dogs are not Service Animals and are not afforded the same privileges in public places. For more information, see the ADA’s list of Frequently Asked Questions here. See below for additional information and forms related to service animals in North Carolina.

Service Animal Registration Information

• Registering a service animal or a service animal in training is voluntary; registration is not required.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states, “A public entity may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform. A public entity shall not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal.” 
• If you want to register, please fill out the first page and sign both pages. Please have the trainer fill out and sign the second page.
• If you trained a service animal yourself instead of working with a trainer, please provide a letter signed by a witness to verify what work or tasks the animal has been trained to perform.
• If your application is complete, EIPD will send you a registration tag for the animal’s collar.