Verification & Proof: Identifying a Service Animal

Interactions are strictly governed by the AODA and the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC).

1. The Only Valid Proof: A Medical Letter

If it is not immediately obvious that the animal is performing a task related to a disability, staff may only ask for one specific document: a letter from a regulated health professional (O. Reg. 165/16 s. 80.45 (4)b).

2. The "Certification" Myth

• There is no official provincial or federal registry for service animals in Canada.
• Businesses cannot demand a "training certificate" or ID card. Denying access for lack of certification violates the AODA (Allarie v. Rouble (2010 HRTO 61)); (Robdrup v. J. Werner Property Management (2012 HRTO 1372)); (Robinson-Cooke v. Ontario (Community and Social Services) (2023 HRTO 1133)).

3. The Right to Medical Privacy

Under the OHRC, staff must respect the user's privacy: * Staff cannot ask the person to disclose the nature of their disability (Allarie v. Rouble (2010 HRTO 61)). * Staff cannot ask the person to demonstrate the animal's tasks.

4. Visual Identification (Harnesses and Vests)

The law does not require any specific visual identification. A vest does not automatically make an animal a Service Animal, and a legitimate Service Animal might only wear a standard collar and leash (O. Reg. 165/16 s. 80.45 (4)a); (Scott v. Siu, 2017 HRTO 1108).