Can a Business Ask for Proof of a Service Dog in Las Vegas?
If you’re traveling with a service dog in Las Vegas, knowing your rights can save you from uncomfortable or even illegal interactions. Whether you’re checking into a hotel, walking into a restaurant, or stepping onto casino property, you might wonder: can someone ask you to prove your dog is a service animal? The short answer is no — but let’s walk through exactly what they can and can’t do, so you’re never caught off guard.
No Papers, ID, or Certification Required
Despite what some employees might think, there’s no legal requirement for you to carry papers, ID cards, vests, or any kind of “proof” that your dog is a service animal. Businesses in Las Vegas — just like everywhere else in the U.S. — are bound by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and that law is crystal clear: they cannot ask for documentation or demand to see certification of any kind. There’s no federal registry for service dogs, and no official ID badge or license exists that anyone is legally required to carry. So if someone tries to stop you at the door and says you need papers, they’re wrong — and you’re well within your rights to say so.
What They Can Ask You
That said, there are two questions staff are legally allowed to ask — but only if it’s not obvious that your dog is a service animal. Those questions are:
- “Is this a service animal required because of a disability?”
- “What task has the dog been trained to perform?”
That’s it. They can’t ask you to go into detail about your condition, they can’t require your dog to demonstrate the task, and they can’t push for more information. If your dog is wearing a vest and behaving appropriately, most businesses won’t say anything at all. But even if they do ask, those two questions are the only ones that are allowed.
Emotional Support Animals Are Not Covered
It’s important to point out that emotional support animals (ESAs) are not considered service animals under the ADA. If your dog is there for comfort or companionship — but hasn’t been individually trained to perform a specific task related to a disability — then businesses are not required to allow them. Some hotels and housing providers might still welcome ESAs under different policies, but that’s handled separately and doesn’t fall under the same protections. Service dogs and emotional support animals are not treated the same under federal law, and knowing that distinction matters.
If a Business Crosses the Line
If someone in Las Vegas tries to deny you entry because you don’t have documentation, or starts asking about your medical condition, you’re within your rights to push back. A calm and confident explanation of the ADA rules often clears things up — most people just don’t know the law. You can even reference the ADA.gov website right from your phone. But if you feel your rights have been violated, you also have the option to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice or the Nevada Equal Rights Commission. Discrimination isn’t just frustrating — it’s unlawful.
