If you are an avid concert lover, then you might be wondering if you can take your service animal with you to your next concert. With lots of popstars like Taylor Swift and Beyonce on world tours right now, the concert industry is certainly thriving. If you don’t want to miss the next big concert and be able to keep your service animal by your side, then read on to learn how.
Service Animal Definition
Service animals are animals, typically dogs, that have been trained to assist a person who has a disability. Services animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) meaning they are treated as necessary medical equipment and go virtually anywhere you go, live with you regardless of pet policies or fees, and travel with you.
They differ from emotional support animals, who are animals that provide support and comfort simply through their presence, instead of through trained tasks. Emotional support animals are protected by the Fair Housing Act, meaning they can live with their owner regardless of pet policies or fees, but cannot accompany them in public or travel with them.
Psychiatric Service Animals
Psychiatric service animals are usually dogs and they are trained to perform specific tasks in relation to an individuals mental illness or disability. While service dogs are generally for physical disabilities and illnesses, psychiatric service dogs are for mental disabilities or illnesses.
If you have an emotional support animal that is trained to perform certain tasks in relation to your mental health issues, then you may be able to register it as psychiatric service animal. Potential tasks include reminding you to take medications at certain times, waking you from nightmares, interrupting self-harming or OCD behaviors, stopping PTSD flashback episodes, steading you for balance during panic attacks, and more.
Service Animals at Concerts
Service animals are allowed to accompany you in most concert venues. However, it is best to check the stadium’s policy in advance. Some concert venues may have seats specifically for those with disabilities that will provide you and your dog with more space.
It is also important to make sure your service dog is adequately trained and prepared for this type of loud, chaotic environment. Concert venues hold the right to remove you and your service dog from the event if your dog is out of control or misbehaved. Some service dog owners buy their dogs earmuffs for concerts, so the loud music does not hurt their ears.
If a venue does not allow your service animal due to crowd volume, or other factors that would put you, your dog, and others at risk, under the ADA they should work with you to provide you with what you need in order to enjoy the concert without your service dog.
In conclusion, you can take your service animal to a concert with you. It is important to contact the venue in advance to find out for sure, see if they have special seating for you, and if they need to work out a plan for you to still be able to enjoy the concert. It is also important to train your dog in advance to make sure they can handle the loud chaotic concert experience, and it may help to buy them dog earmuffs in advance.
If you need a service dog letter of certification, you can get one by talking to our experts at United Support Animal today at 800-918-3151 or by taking our pre-screening test.
