Shopping can be challenging for people with disabilities, but service dogs make it easier. If you have a service dog or want to understand their rights, this guide will help you navigate mall visits with confidence.

Not every dog is a service animal. Under the law, a service dog is specially trained to help someone with a disability. These amazing animals can do jobs like:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives service dogs access to public spaces. This means your service dog can go everywhere in the mall that other shoppers can go. Stores, food courts, and common areas are all open to service dogs.

Mall workers have very limited questions they can ask you:

They CANNOT ask you:

Notable shopping centers like the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN, and the Westfield World Trade Center in New York City have information about their animal policies on their websites. All in all, they mostly say the same thing as the federal law.

The Mall of America has a policy that matches government regulations: “Only Service Animals (as defined by the ADA) trained to assist persons with disabilities are permitted within Mall of America.” No pets, therapy animals, or emotional support animals are allowed in the Mall.

The World Trade Center in Manhattan bans all animals from their premises except “properly certified and identified service animal[s] in the course of performing service.” While the ADA does not require proof of certification or identification, having some form of service dog ID or making the dog’s working status visible may streamline the experience and prevent unwelcome questions from staff.

It’s important to keep in mind that ADA guidelines explicitly state that service dogs are not required to have any kind of certifications nor identification of their service animal status. Additionally, there are only two scenarios where a service dog could be denied access per the ADA.

The first case in which service dogs can be denied access to businesses or facilities is when their presence would “fundamentally alter the nature of the goods, services, programs, or activities provided to the public” — in other words, where allowing a dog would make the business not be able to do what it does.

If the dog does not “fundamentally alter” the business, it can still be asked to leave if it is:

Except for these rare circumstances, service dogs must be allowed access to businesses by law, including malls and shopping centers.

While service dogs have special access, handlers must follow important rules:

If you follow these steps, your shopping experience will be easier and less interrupted.

Emotional support animals are not the same as service dogs. Service dogs have special training to do specific tasks, while emotional support animals just provide comfort.

Before heading to the mall with your service dog:

Service dogs are more than just pets. They’re working animals that help people with disabilities live more independently. Malls and other public spaces are required to welcome these incredible animals.

By understanding your rights and responsibilities, you can enjoy shopping with your service dog and help create a more inclusive world for everyone.