Know your rights. Document your needs. Educate your community.
A free public resource for service animal handlers, landlords, housing providers, and businesses. NAWN provides legally informed documentation templates, educational materials, and quick-reference guides — designed to make compliance clear and accessible for everyone. No account required to read or print.
Section 1
Housing Rights — Fair Housing Act (FHAA)
Service animals and emotional support animals in housing — what federal law requires, how to request accommodation, and how to respond appropriately.
For Handlers — Reasonable Accommodation Request
A template letter you can personalize and send to your landlord or housing provider to request a reasonable accommodation for your service animal or assistance animal under the Fair Housing Act.
For Landlords — Understanding Your Obligations
Fair Housing Act guidance for landlords and property managers. Learn what you can and cannot ask, when accommodations are required, and how to verify requests appropriately.
State-by-State Housing Resources
While FHAA is federal, some states offer additional protections. Select your state for specific guidance.
This is a summary only. For current state law, consult your state fair housing agency or attorney. Federal FHAA always applies.
Section 2
Travel Rights — Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) & DOT Rules
Flying with your service animal — what DOT requires, how to prepare, and how carriers must handle your request.
DOT Service Animal Air Travel Form
U.S. Department of Transportation form required by most airlines for service animals. Complete this before your flight.
Air Travel Quick-Reference Card
What to expect at the airport, what documentation to carry, and how to advocate for your rights if challenged.
Section 3
Documentation Pack — Print & Carry
A collection of formatted, printable documents you can carry in your service animal's vest, share with landlords, or present at travel checkpoints. All free, all formatted for standard paper or card stock.
Service Animal Information Card
Business-card format for vest pouch — handler, animal, tasks, contacts, and polite non-distraction note.
SERVICE ANIMAL INFORMATION CARD Handler: [Your Name] Animal: [Animal Name] — [Species/Breed] Tasks: [List key tasks — e.g., cardiac alert, mobility support] Handler Phone: [Your Phone] Emergency Contact: [Name — Phone] Note: This animal is a trained service animal. Please do not distract, pet, feed, or separate from handler without consent. If we become separated, please call the emergency contact listed above. Under the ADA, businesses may only ask: (1) Is this animal required because of a disability? (2) What work or task has it been trained to perform?
Housing Accommodation Letter
Full FHAA reasonable accommodation request — same template as housing section, formatted for letter printing.
[Date] [Landlord/Property Manager Name] [Property Address] RE: Request for Reasonable Accommodation — Service Animal / Assistance Animal Dear [Landlord/Property Manager], I am a tenant at [property address] and a person with a disability as defined by the Fair Housing Act. I am requesting a reasonable accommodation to have my [service animal / assistance animal] live with me despite your pet policy or no-pet rule. My animal, [animal's name], is a [species/breed] that performs [describe tasks or support provided — for example: alerts me to oncoming medical episodes, provides stability while walking, retrieves items]. This animal does not pose a direct threat to others and will not cause significant property damage. Under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604), housing providers must make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, which includes allowing assistance animals even in properties with no-pet policies. Breed, size, and weight restrictions do not apply, and no-pet fees or deposits may be charged. Please let me know if you need documentation from my healthcare provider. I am happy to discuss any questions you may have and to work together on this request. Sincerely, [Your name] [Your contact information]
Travel Documentation Checklist
Printable pre-flight checklist so nothing gets left behind — DOT form through destination vet info.
Travel Documentation Checklist — Service Animal ☐ Completed DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form (official version) ☐ Veterinary health certificate (within 10 days for many airlines) ☐ Vaccination records (rabies, etc.) ☐ Photo ID of animal (clear, recent) ☐ Handler contact card / NAWN registry card if registered ☐ Airline confirmation with animal noted on reservation ☐ Emergency contact information ☐ Destination vet or emergency clinic name and phone ☐ Supplies: leash, harness, waste bags, water, any medication ☐ Copy of ADA and ACAA quick-reference card Keep originals together in a folder and carry digital copies on your phone.
NAWN provides templates for convenience. These are not legal advice and do not create public access rights. For legal questions, consult a disability rights attorney or your local fair housing organization. Templates work best printed on plain white paper — cards can be trimmed to 3.5 × 2 inches.
Section 4
Resources for Landlords and Businesses
Clear, accessible information to help property managers, business owners, and staff understand obligations and interact respectfully with service animal teams.
ADA Quick Guide for Businesses
Under the ADA, businesses must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas where the public is normally allowed. This includes restaurants, stores, hotels, hospitals, and public transportation.
Only two questions are allowed when it is not obvious:
- Is the animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
Staff cannot ask about the person's disability, require medical documentation, ask the animal to demonstrate tasks, or require a special vest or ID. The animal must be under the handler's control at all times. If animal is out of control and handler does not take effective action, you may ask the handler to remove animal but must allow person to remain without animal.
No surcharges, pet fees, or deposits may be charged for service animals, even if you charge for pets. If you normally charge for damages, you may charge for damage caused by service animal only if you charge other customers similarly.
Common Myths & Facts
Myth: Service animals must be professionally trained
✓Fact: The ADA allows handlers to train their own service animals. No professional certification required.
Myth: Service animals must wear a vest or special harness
✓Fact: The ADA does not require vests, ID cards, special harnesses, or documentation for public access.
Myth: Emotional support animals have the same public access rights
✓Fact: ESAs are only covered under the Fair Housing Act for housing, not ADA public access. Businesses are not required to allow ESAs under ADA.
Myth: Businesses can charge a fee for service animals
✓Fact: No fees, deposits, or surcharges — even if pets normally require them. Only actual damage charges, applied equally.
Myth: You can ask for medical documentation in a store or restaurant
✓Fact: For public access under ADA, you may only ask the two questions. Documentation requests are not allowed in that context. Housing is different — documentation may be requested when disability is not apparent.
Myth: Any breed can be denied based on insurance
✓Fact: Breed alone is not a basis to deny a service animal. Denial must be based on specific animal's behavior and direct threat assessment, not breed stereotypes or insurance lists.
Register your service animal with NAWN
A verified registry record adds credibility when presenting documentation to housing providers, airlines, and businesses. It gives you a secure place to store task history, vaccination, training notes, and emergency contacts — private to you, shareable when you choose. Registration is free, voluntary, and never required by law.
NAWN is not a government agency. Registration and certification packs are voluntary tools. They do not determine ADA compliance or disability status. Always consult official DOT, HUD, and DOJ resources for current law.