Usaf Academy, CO asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Colorado

Q: I am a visitor at an apartment complex and are demanding medical history to prove need for my service animal. Can they.?

I am visitor at the complex and they asked for proof of my residency which I have provided. They also asked for proof my dog was a liscenced service animal which I also provided his papers and liscnese number. They responded by saying they needed medical history or a legal document proving my disability and need for a service animal and until that was proved he was not allowed on the property.

2 Lawyer Answers

A: Basically - Yes they can.

The issue is not only that your dog is actually a service animal but you must also prove that you have a disability which the dog in some way alleviates.

Housing rules are slightly different from ADA rules which deals with public issues.

A: This sounds highly unusual. But it's also highly unusual that you would have "proof" that your dog is a licensed service animal because there is no such licensing. There are websites that will give you a 1"certification" for money, but they have no legal effect. Are you sure you are not talking about an Emotional Support Animal? There may be some exemption if this is occurring on a military base, and your question says it comes from US Airforce Academy. Usually in places of public accommodation they can only ask if it's a service dog that's needed because of a disability and what task(s) the dog performs.

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