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Demystifying the ADA Interactive Process: Service Animals
on Monday, February 23, 2026
As disability accommodation requests continue to increase with the return to in-person work, Oregon and Washington employers are often left unsure what their obligation is regarding service animal requests under the ADA, and whether that obligation extends to emotional support animals.
Most people are familiar with service animals in grocery stores and other public settings, as you’ve likely seen the “service animals only” signs posted at entrances. However, the workplace rules are different. In employment settings, the key question is not public access. It is whether allowing the animal is a reasonable accommodation that enables the employee to perform the essential functions of the job without creating an undue hardship. Here’s a breakdown of what Oregon and Washington employers should know.
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Demystifying the ADA Interactive Process: Service Animals
As disability accommodation requests continue to increase with the return to in-person work, Oregon and Washington employers are often left unsure what their obligation is regarding service animal requests under the ADA, and whether that obligation extends to emotional support animals.
Most people are familiar with service animals in grocery stores and other public settings, as you’ve likely seen the “service animals only” signs posted at entrances. However, the workplace rules are different. In employment settings, the key question is not public access. It is whether allowing the animal is a reasonable accommodation that enables the employee to perform the essential functions of the job without creating an undue hardship. Here’s a breakdown of what Oregon and Washington employers should know.