Can a patient bring a service animal into a doctor's office? DOJ weighs in on NJ case

In recent years more pet owners have begun bringing their dogs and other animals into restaurants, supermarkets and other public places that have long been off-limits, sometimes causing clashes between customers and managers, and prompting warnings from the health department.

One group — service animals — have almost always been allowed in any establishment to help their disabled owners thanks to federal law.

But the U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark says a doctor with one of New Jersey's largest health care networks violated the Americans with Disability Act when she or her staff refused to allow a service animal into a medical office.

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Details of the case have not been made public. But the U.S. Attorney's Office announced late last week that it had reached an agreement with Hackensack Meridian Health to resolve the allegation involving an OB/GYN in Monmouth County who did not allow a patient with a disability to bring a service animal into the office for an appointment.

The ADA recognizes only dogs and miniature horses as service animals to help the blind, the hearing impaired, people who have seizures and several other disabilities.

Service animals are allowed in hospitals and doctor’s offices, but may be excluded from certain areas "where it would pose a health and safety risk to patients, such as in an operating room," according to Legal Services of New Jersey.

Hackensack Meridian will pay patient, make policy modifications

Under the agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Hackensack Meridian will pay an unknown amount of money to the patient.

It will also make "reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, and procedures" to allow service animals by persons with disabilities access to all doctor's offices. The network will also ensure that all employees working at the doctor's office have a hard copy of Hackensack Meridian's service animal policy and receive training on the federal law.

Hackensack Meridian Health “is dedicated to providing all patients with a welcoming and inclusive environment," said Ben Goldstein, a spokesman. "HMH has long had an ADA-compliant service animal policy and is taking steps to ensure that all of our employees are properly trained. This is part of our commitment to keep getting better for the patients and communities we serve."

Service animal vs. emotional support animal vs. pets

Pets are generally prohibited from hospitals and doctors offices to maintain as sterile an environment as possible.

Service animals are not to be mistaken for emotional support animals, who are not necessarily trained but are given some special rights if certified by a clinician.

Service animals have the right to go almost everywhere with their owner under the ADA.

There are no such allowances for emotional support animals, except a court ruled in 2014 that Fair Housing Act allows them the right to live anywhere with their owners, including dormitories.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Can a patient bring a service animal into a doctor's office? DOJ weighs in on NJ case