Service Animals

What Qualifies as a Service Animal?

A service animal is defined as a dog or other animal that has been individually trained to perform work or tasks directly related to an individual’s disability.

Examples of these tasks include:

  • Guiding individuals with visual impairments
  • Alerting those with hearing impairments
  • Pulling a wheelchair
  • Providing assistance during medical emergencies.

Other animals, even if they are emotional support or therapy animals, do not qualify as service animals under the U.S. Department of Transportation Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulation 49 CFR 37.3.

service animal dog sitting on the bus floor

Passenger Responsibilities

Passengers bringing a service animal onboard are required to:

  • Ensure their service animal is under control at all times. This means the animal must be leashed, harnessed, or otherwise tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s tasks or the person’s disability prevents the use of these devices. Service animals must be within the care, custody, and control of their owners, or an individual accompanying their owner, at all times. This ensures that the animal is properly restrained and is not roaming the coach, barking, or growling in a manner unrelated to their work.
  • Keep the service animal well-behaved. The animal may not be seriously disruptive to other passengers or pose a safety risk.
  • Ensure the service animal does not occupy seats or block aisles. This is vital to maintain accessibility for other riders in the vehicle.
  • Maintain the cleanliness of the service animal. Owners must ensure the service animal does not soil the bus or transit area.

Passengers must also accurately communicate whether their animal is a service animal, as operators are permitted to ask two specific questions:

  1.  Is the service animal required because of a disability?
  2.  What task or work has the animal been trained to perform?
service animal dog sitting on the bus floor

Bus Operator Responsibilities

RTD operators are trained to follow ADA guidelines and ensure all passengers, including those with service animals, are treated with respect and provided with necessary accommodations. Bus operators are expected to:

  • Ensure the vehicle environment remains safe and accessible for all riders, while addressing any concerns passengers may have regarding service animals.
  • Assist passengers with disabilities upon request, including boarding, exiting, and proper seating arrangements if needed.
  • Avoid interfering with or distracting service animals while they perform their essential duties.
service animal dog sitting on the bus floor

Pets and Non-Service Animals

Non-service animals such as pets or emotional support animals are not permitted onboard RTD vehicles unless they are in a secure carrier that is small enough to fit on the passenger’s lap, larger pets must fit under the seat on the floor.  These animals must remain in the carrier at all times without causing disruption to others.

service animal dog sitting on the bus floor

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A key difference between the two is the definition of a service animal. Department of Of Justice (DOJ) limits service animals to dogs and, in some cases, miniature horses, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) defines a service animal more broadly as any animal trained to assist individuals with disabilities. Under DOT rules, service animals must be allowed on transit vehicles and in facilities if they meet this definition.

Non-service animals, such as emotional support animals or pets, are permitted onboard only if they are in a secure carrier that can be held on the passenger’s lap or placed at their feet. The carrier must be closed, and the animal must not cause a disturbance to other passengers.

No. Registration is not required under the ADA.

No, RTD operators and staff cannot require documentation or proof that an animal is a service animal. However, they are allowed to ask two specific questions:

  1. Is the animal required because of a disability?
  2. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

Yes, service animals are permitted to ride on all RTD vehicles, including buses, mobility on-demand vehicles, and paratransit services.

Service animals are allowed to accompany their handler in any part of the vehicle where passengers are permitted. However, they must not obstruct aisles or doorways for safety reasons.

No. Service animals are not permitted to occupy passenger seats. They must remain on the floor or in the handler’s personal space to ensure seats are available for other riders.

To maintain a safe and comfortable space for everyone, RTD staff or law enforcement may request that a handler and their service animal leave the bus if the animal’s behavior is disruptive and the handler does not take proper measures to manage it.