Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal does not need to be formally documented as “medically necessary” in the way a prescription item would be. Providers may only ask two questions to verify a service animal:
1. Is this a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

No certification, ID card, vest, or medical documentation is required under the ADA.

However, if the client is receiving Medicaid-funded services and the service animal is referenced in their plan of care (e.g., noted as part of a behavior support plan), the PASSE or DDS may request documentation of the disability-related need for care coordination purposes. This is distinct from the ADA accommodation question and relates to Medicaid plan documentation.

Providers should not exclude a service animal from their facility based on lack of documentation as long as the handler can answer the two permissible ADA questions.