BruceG5 (Texas)
Posts: 11
Posts: 11
Posted:
Does anyone know if a Service animal has to be on a leash at an HOA swimming pool in Texas? The pool is considered private, so FHA (hot ADA).
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Service/Emotional Support Dogs
Started by BruceG5 • 9 replies • 311 views
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KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
I honestly can't think of a reason why it would not. Luckily, there are some good TX posters here.
SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
You may want to check your city or county code. Most require dogs to be leashed and under the handler's control at all times, and I would think it wouldn't matter if it's a service dog. You don't want the dog to intimidate people who are afraid of or who are allergic to dogs, nir do you want the dog distracted from people who cone over and try to pet or play with it.
In some cases, you may need to distinguish between a service dog and emotional support dog. Service animals are trained to do a specific job, such as a guide dog for the blind 8r a dog trained to detect if the handler is about to have an epileptic seizure. Emotional support dogs can be used with people suffering from PTSD or depression.
If your city code doesn't address this, the health department might. You can also talk to your local Humane society who might 3ven assist the board in setting up a policy. Ditto for local organizations that assist people with disabilities.
In some cases, you may need to distinguish between a service dog and emotional support dog. Service animals are trained to do a specific job, such as a guide dog for the blind 8r a dog trained to detect if the handler is about to have an epileptic seizure. Emotional support dogs can be used with people suffering from PTSD or depression.
If your city code doesn't address this, the health department might. You can also talk to your local Humane society who might 3ven assist the board in setting up a policy. Ditto for local organizations that assist people with disabilities.
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062
Posts: 21,062
Posted:
Doing a simple internet search if support dogs need to be leashed in TX, I came upon the following TX website:
Texas Disability Law - Service Animals from TX.gov
It appears that these would be the people to ask.
Texas Disability Law - Service Animals from TX.gov
It appears that these would be the people to ask.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
Ask your local animal control office. Most of the time they do have to be leashed and under owner control. We had a blind person with a dog at work. It had to stay harnessed even at the office. It is working after all.
I also want to take the time to warn people about the safety for pets at a pool or the beach. Don't let your dogs drink ocean water. It has too much salt and can kill them. So be careful if it is a salt water pool. Provide fresh water. Chlorine is not that healthy for dogs. Plus it is still very hot at pools. Their feet can get burned. Still subject to heat exhaustion. They sweat through their feet. Panting is their way of cooling. It's best to keep them out of the pool area in general. May want to pass along that education. You don't need emotional support at a pool. Most people who need them for handicap reasons should know how to best take care of their animal.
I also want to take the time to warn people about the safety for pets at a pool or the beach. Don't let your dogs drink ocean water. It has too much salt and can kill them. So be careful if it is a salt water pool. Provide fresh water. Chlorine is not that healthy for dogs. Plus it is still very hot at pools. Their feet can get burned. Still subject to heat exhaustion. They sweat through their feet. Panting is their way of cooling. It's best to keep them out of the pool area in general. May want to pass along that education. You don't need emotional support at a pool. Most people who need them for handicap reasons should know how to best take care of their animal.
Former HOA President
DavidG45 (Delaware)
Posts: 994
Posts: 994
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BruceG5 on 07/05/2022 5:06 PM
Does anyone know if a Service animal has to be on a leash at an HOA swimming pool in Texas? The pool is considered private, so FHA (hot ADA).
Does anyone know if a Service animal has to be on a leash at an HOA swimming pool in Texas? The pool is considered private, so FHA (hot ADA).
To reinforce Sheila’s point, please do not group Service animals with Emotional Support animals. Service animals have been trained to assist people with specific tasks that their handicap would otherwise prevent them from doing. They are protected by law. Anyone can buy a red vest on Amazon and call any pet a “support” animal. They are not protected by law.
We do not allow pets in our pool area, including so-called emotional support dogs. But we do allow service animals, as we must.
DavidG45 (Delaware)
Posts: 994
Posts: 994
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By DavidG45 on 07/06/2022 4:28 AM
Posted By BruceG5 on 07/05/2022 5:06 PM
Does anyone know if a Service animal has to be on a leash at an HOA swimming pool in Texas? The pool is considered private, so FHA (hot ADA).
Does anyone know if a Service animal has to be on a leash at an HOA swimming pool in Texas? The pool is considered private, so FHA (hot ADA).
To reinforce Sheila’s point, please do not group Service animals with Emotional Support animals. Service animals have been trained to assist people with specific tasks that their handicap would otherwise prevent them from doing. They are protected by law. Anyone can buy a red vest on Amazon and call any pet a “support” animal. They are not protected by law.
We do not allow pets in our pool area, including so-called emotional support dogs. But we do allow service animals, as we must.
Correction, “handicap” should have been “disability.” I wish we could edit posts.
JeffT2 (Iowa)
Posts: 880
Posts: 880
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By DavidG45 on 07/06/2022 4:28 AM
Posted By BruceG5 on 07/05/2022 5:06 PM
Does anyone know if a Service animal has to be on a leash at an HOA swimming pool in Texas? The pool is considered private, so FHA (hot ADA).
Does anyone know if a Service animal has to be on a leash at an HOA swimming pool in Texas? The pool is considered private, so FHA (hot ADA).
To reinforce Sheila’s point, please do not group Service animals with Emotional Support animals. Service animals have been trained to assist people with specific tasks that their handicap would otherwise prevent them from doing. They are protected by law. Anyone can buy a red vest on Amazon and call any pet a “support” animal. They are not protected by law.
We do not allow pets in our pool area, including so-called emotional support dogs. But we do allow service animals, as we must.
Emotional Support animals are also protected by law, although they may not need to be at the pool.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By DavidG45 on 07/06/2022 4:28 AM
Posted By BruceG5 on 07/05/2022 5:06 PM
Does anyone know if a Service animal has to be on a leash at an HOA swimming pool in Texas? The pool is considered private, so FHA (hot ADA).
Does anyone know if a Service animal has to be on a leash at an HOA swimming pool in Texas? The pool is considered private, so FHA (hot ADA).
To reinforce Sheila’s point, please do not group Service animals with Emotional Support animals. Service animals have been trained to assist people with specific tasks that their handicap would otherwise prevent them from doing. They are protected by law. Anyone can buy a red vest on Amazon and call any pet a “support” animal. They are not protected by law.
We do not allow pets in our pool area, including so-called emotional support dogs. But we do allow service animals, as we must.
Sounds right to me.
CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299
Posts: 6,299
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JeffT2 on 07/06/2022 4:13 PM
To reinforce Sheila’s point, please do not group Service animals with Emotional Support animals. Service animals have been trained to assist people with specific tasks that their handicap would otherwise prevent them from doing. They are protected by law. Anyone can buy a red vest on Amazon and call any pet a “support” animal. They are not protected by law.
We do not allow pets in our pool area, including so-called emotional support dogs. But we do allow service animals, as we must.
Posted By DavidG45 on 07/06/2022 4:28 AM
Posted By BruceG5 on 07/05/2022 5:06 PM
Does anyone know if a Service animal has to be on a leash at an HOA swimming pool in Texas? The pool is considered private, so FHA (hot ADA).
Does anyone know if a Service animal has to be on a leash at an HOA swimming pool in Texas? The pool is considered private, so FHA (hot ADA).
To reinforce Sheila’s point, please do not group Service animals with Emotional Support animals. Service animals have been trained to assist people with specific tasks that their handicap would otherwise prevent them from doing. They are protected by law. Anyone can buy a red vest on Amazon and call any pet a “support” animal. They are not protected by law.
We do not allow pets in our pool area, including so-called emotional support dogs. But we do allow service animals, as we must.
Emotional Support animals are also protected by law, although they may not need to be at the pool.
Yes, ESAs can be a "reasonable accommodation" and HOAs must allow them if the owner provides documentation of need. I can't think of any reasonable accommodation that would require allowing the animal to be off the leash, though - so I think requiring leashes at the pool is fine.
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