Service Animal Admittance Policy
Domestic animals present risk of disease transmission to other animals and may cause stress to resident animals, and therefore are not allowed in the Detroit Zoo or the Belle Isle Nature Center unless providing assistance as a service animal as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Service Animals
The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) strives to provide a welcoming environment for a diverse audience on both campuses. When a guest arrives with a service animal at the Detroit Zoo or Belle Isle Nature Center, a member of the Security team will welcome the guest and ensure that their service animal is qualified under the current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. The guest will be issued a bandana to indicate that their service animal has been approved and is allowed on grounds. The bandana will be collected upon the guest’s departure. Each guest with a service animal will also be given a small collapsible water bowl for the animal’s comfort and a pet waste collection bag for convenience. DZS staff members at each entrance will also advise the guest of the areas service animals are not permitted and inform them how to reach staff if any assistance is needed.
Applicable service animals are limited to dogs and, in some cases, miniature horses. Bona fide service animals are allowed to enter the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center to provide assistance to guests in accordance with applicable federal, state and local regulations. Service animals must meet the following conditions:
- Service animals must be under the “effective control” of the individual with the disability, in accordance with ADA. “Effective control” means “the service animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered while in public places unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the person’s disability prevents use of these devices. In that case, the individual must use voice, signal or other effective means to maintain control of the animal.”
- Service animals must be “on duty” and accompany a person who is in need of the animal’s assistance.
- Service animals must not threaten the health or safety of guests or animals, or disrupt the operation of the Detroit Zoo or Belle Isle Nature Center.
Service animals in training are allowed at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center subject to the following conditions:
- Service animals in training must be under the effective control of a certified trainer or guide who possesses photo identification stating that he or she is a trainer, or an employee of a training organization, included on the Michigan Department of Labor’s list of recognized trainers.
Service animals, and service animals in training, are not allowed in the following areas of the Detroit Zoo as their presence may threaten the health or safety of guests and/or animals or disrupt the operation of the Detroit Zoo:
- Australian Outback Adventure immersive walkway (exterior viewing is available)
- Free-Flight Aviary*
- Butterfly Garden (until construction is complete)*
- Simulator Ride (non-motion rides are available upon request)
- Red Panda Forest Canopy Walkway
Service animals, and service animals in training, that do not meet the above criteria, or otherwise threaten the health or safety of Detroit Zoo or Belle Isle Nature Center guests and animals, will be denied access to, or removed from, the Detroit Zoo or Belle Isle Nature Center. The guardians or owners of service animals who are denied access or removed from the premises may still enter the Detroit Zoo or Belle Isle Nature Center without the service animal. The DZS cannot allow animals of any kind to be left unaccompanied in an automobile in a Zoo or Nature Center parking area.
Tags: emotional-support animals, therapy dogs, support animals, emotional support animals, therapy animals