We’re an inclusive marketplace built on a foundation of trust, safety, and respect. We accommodate guests who require a service animal. This applies regardless of a property’s standard house rules and pet policy since service animals are not pets. Definition of a service animal. A service animal is any dog 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. ADA’s definition of “service animal” because they have been specifically trained to perform a task for a person with a disability. Emotional support animals. Emotional support, comfort, and therapy dogs are not considered service animals under Title II and Title III of the ADA. Other animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are also not recognized as service animals. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. It does not matter if a person has a doctor's note indicating that they have a disability and require an animal for emotional support. A doctor’s letter does not change an emotional support animal into a service animal. In Maine, emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals. Our lodging facility’s rights and responsibilities toward service animals and their handlers. We may ask whether the animal is a service animal due to a disability and what tasks it has been trained to perform to accommodate it better. Since service animals are not considered pets, we will not charge a pet fee for staying at the property; however, we will require a refundable security deposit. Additionally, we may charge for any damage caused by the handler and their service animal that exceeds reasonable wear and tear. Conditions refusal of service to a service animal. Public accommodations cannot refuse service animals unless they pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others or cause significant property damage. Staff members may appropriately ask a handler to remove their service dog if it is out of control or not housebroken. A service dog handler may also be asked to leave if their service dog’s actions endanger the health and safety of others. Security deposit: We require a $30 damage security deposit upon lodging payment, which is fully refundable at check-out. Rights and responsibilities of service animal handlers. Handlers must control their animal with a leash or by verbal command if a leash is unavailable. They must also pick up after the animal, dispose of waste properly, and ensure no excessive barking unless it is a medical emergency for the dog’s handler.