What animals qualify as Service Animals?

Under the ADA, service animals are generally limited to trained dogs. The ADA also provides limited accommodation provisions for trained miniature horses in certain circumstances.

What are the guest responsibilities when bringing a Service Animal?

All urination and defecation must occur outdoors only. Guests must immediately clean up waste and place it in outdoor trash bins. Service animals are not permitted on furniture, beds, or counters unless required for their trained task. Guests are responsible for damages or additional cleaning caused by the service animal.

What questions may property owners legally ask regarding a Service Animal?

Property owners may ask whether the service animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform.

Service Animal Policy & Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is considered a Service Animal?

A service animal is an animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The work or tasks performed must be directly related to the individual's disability.

Q: Are Emotional Support Animals considered Service Animals?

No. Emotional Support Animals, comfort animals, and therapy animals are not recognized as service animals under the ADA or Tennessee law.

Q: What are the legal requirements for Service Animals in Tennessee?

Service animals must remain under the control of the handler at all times, be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless the handler's disability prevents it, be housebroken, non-aggressive, non-destructive, and not display repeated unprovoked barking. A service animal must never be left at the property unattended.

Q: Can a Service Animal be removed from the property?

Yes. A service animal may be removed if it is out of control, not housebroken, or poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Tennessee law, we welcome qualified service animals while maintaining the safety, cleanliness, and comfort of our property for all guests.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is considered a Service Animal?

A "service animal" means an animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disabilities.

The work or tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the individual's disability.

Is a Service Animal considered a pet?

No. A service animal is not considered a pet under the ADA or Tennessee law.

What types of animals qualify as Service Animals?

Under the ADA, service animals are generally limited to dogs. The ADA also contains a separate provision regarding trained miniature horses where reasonable accommodations can be made. Tennessee limits service animals to dogs only.

Tennessee law and this property's operational limitations are interpreted and administered primarily within the context of ADA service dog requirements applicable to transient lodging accommodations.

Are Emotional Support, Comfort, or Therapy Animals considered Service Animals?

No. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), comfort animals, and therapy animals are not recognized as service animals under the ADA or Tennessee law.

What are the legal requirements for Service Animals in Tennessee?

Service animals must:

Remain under the control of the handler at all times
Be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless the handler's disability prevents it
Be housebroken
Be non-aggressive and non-destructive
Not display repeated, unprovoked barking

What are the guest's responsibilities when bringing a Service Animal?

All urination and defecation must occur outdoors only - pee pads are not permitted.
All feces must be immediately cleaned up, sealed in appropriate bags, and placed in outdoor trash bins.
Service animals are not permitted on furniture, beds, or counters unless specifically required to perform their trained task.
Guests are responsible for any damages or additional cleaning caused by the service animal.

Can a Service Animal be removed from the property?

Yes. As permitted by law, we reserve the right to remove or exclude a service animal if:

The animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it
The animal is not housebroken
The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others

Is fraudulent representation of a Service Animal illegal?

Yes. In Tennessee, knowingly and willfully misrepresenting oneself as having the right to use a service animal is a criminal offense and may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor.

Can a Service Animal be left alone at the property?

No. Service animals must remain under the control of their handler at all times and may never be left unattended at the cabin or anywhere on the property.

This includes while guests are away sightseeing, dining, shopping, hiking, visiting attractions, or otherwise absent from the property.

Tennessee law requires service animals to remain under the control of the handler, and unattended animals may create safety, sanitation, noise, and property concerns.

What questions are property owners legally allowed to ask?

When the disability and need for the service animal are not obvious, property owners may legally ask:

Is your Service Animal required because of a disability?
What work or task has your Service Animal been trained to perform?

Guest Acknowledgement

I have read the state law as it pertains to all rights and responsibilities regarding service animals.

☐ Yes

I have read and agree to comply with all requirements, including damage liability, as stated in the state law. I agree to pay for all damages incurred by having a service animal on the property.