Employer Obligations for Service Animals, Emotional Support and Companion Animals

As service and support animal accommodation requests become more prevalent across industries, employers face growing pressure to understand and comply with complex legal obligations. With heightened awareness around mental health and emotional well-being, employees are increasingly seeking to bring animals into the workplace. This webinar provides essential guidance for HR professionals, compliance officers, legal counsel, and managers on how to lawfully handle such requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and applicable state and local laws.

Attendees will learn the fundamental differences between service animals, emotional support animals (ESAs), and companion animals, and why these distinctions are critical in determining workplace accommodations. The session will clarify what qualifies as a service animal under federal law, what documentation employers can legally request, and how to respond to requests without overstepping legal boundaries. Practical strategies will also be provided for balancing accommodation needs with concerns from other employees or customers, such as allergies or safety fears, and avoiding potential legal pitfalls when denying requests.

• Overview of the ADA and related federal, state, and local laws
• Differences between service animals, ESAs, and companion animals
• Legal requirements and limitations for employers
• Documentation best practices
• How to manage competing needs in the workplace
• Title III considerations for public-facing businesses
• Strategies for avoiding discrimination claims

• Understand key provisions of the ADA and related laws governing service and support animals in the workplace
• Learn the critical differences between service animals, emotional support animals, and companion animals—and what that means for your compliance efforts
• Develop legally sound policies and procedures for managing employee, customer, or visitor accommodation requests involving animals
• Know what types of documentation you can and cannot request to support an accommodation
• Gain insight into balancing accommodation requests with co-worker objections, allergies, or safety concerns
• Learn how to address public-facing situations under Title III of the ADA and avoid potential discrimination claims

This webinar empowers you with the knowledge to handle animal accommodation requests with confidence and legal clarity—protecting both your organization and your employees.

HR professionals, legal and compliance officers, workplace accommodation specialists, managers, and anyone responsible for handling ADA-related issues in the workplace.