Relates to allowing therapy dogs to enter public places and public transportation

1 Co-sponsor

• John L. Sampson

BILL NUMBER:S4156

Title of bill

An act to amend the transportation law and the civil rights law, in relation to allowing therapy dogs to enter public places and public transportation

Purpose or general idea of bill

Allows for any dog that is certified and trained to work or perform specific tasks for the benefits of persons with special needs to accompany the trainer, owner or handler in public places or on public transportation.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends section 147 of the transportation law Section 2 amends subdivision 1 of section 47 of the civil rights law Section 3 sets the effective date

Justification

Psychologists have shown a growing interest in animal assisted therapy, a method which uses trained companion animals to aid patients in treatment. Research has shown that animals can lower stress levels and make people feel better in the short term, and are of particular help to people suffering from depression, seizures, autism, bipolar disorder, and children who have been severely neglected.

Dogs are put through rigorous training and undergo numerous tests before they can be certified as therapy dogs. These tests, which are more extensive than those used for service dogs, are meant to ensure that the animals are socialized and able to handle stress under a variety of different conditions. Therapy dogs are specifically trained to be in crowded and noisy areas.

This legislation would make it easier for therapy dog trainers, owners or patients to travel with the animals by allowing them to bring the dogs into public places and on public transportation, provided that the animals are properly harnessed.

Prior legislative history

2009-2010: A.11468 Referred to Transportation

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.