Tabitha works in a small-town clinic and was assigned Ashley as a new patient. Ashley messaged Tabitha and said that she has diabetes and needed her service animal, Ernie the black Labrador Retriever, to come to her appointment. Whenever Ashley’s blood sugar level drops, Ernie detects the change by scent before her glucose monitor can. He signals Ashley to let her know to eat a snack before her blood sugar gets dangerously low.

Tabitha had never seen a service animal in a clinic before. Tabitha talked to her coworker who didn’t think dogs were allowed in the clinic. Doubtful that she could grant Ashley’s request, Tabitha wanted to double check with her regional ADA Center.

Tabitha spoke with Kenny, an ADA Specialist, over the phone. Kenny explained to Tabitha that because the clinic is a business, it is considered a public accommodation under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He also said that according to the ADA, a service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, like diabetes. Tabitha realized this meant that Ernie should be allowed to attend the appointment with Ashley.

After the phone call, Tabitha messaged Ashley back and let her know that Ernie would be welcome at the clinic. Thanks to the ADA, Ernie and Ashley walked into the clinic together with their feet and paws in perfect sync!