What Should I Tell My Employer About My Service Dog?

Question

What Should I Tell My Employer About My Service Dog?

Short answer

Tell your employer enough to request a reasonable accommodation, without sharing more medical information than necessary. Explain that you have a disability, that the dog helps with disability-related limitations, and that you need the dog with you at work or during part of the employment process.

What to include

Include the request, the dog’s role in general functional terms, that the animal is trained for the environment, and how you plan to manage care, breaks, hygiene, and behavior.

What you do not need to do

You do not need to share your full diagnosis in a first message. You should also avoid relying on questionable online certificates, because they are not always meaningful proof.

Example message

“I would like to request permission to bring my service dog as a disability-related accommodation. The dog is trained to perform tasks that help me manage functional limitations and to behave appropriately in the workplace.”

Conclusion

Communicate clearly, focus on functional need, and be open to the employer’s interactive accommodation process.

Sources consulted