March 2013 Coach's Quiz

We’ve suggested five rules on how to handle requests for assistance animals. Now let’s look at how the rules might apply in the real world. Take the COACH’s Quiz to see what you’ve learned.

INSTRUCTIONS: Each of the following questions has only one correct answer. On a separate piece of paper, write down the number of each question, followed by the answer you think is correct—for example, (1) b, (2) a, and so on. The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!

QUESTION #1

When prospects call and say they have a pet, it’s okay if we tell them about our no-pet policy and suggest they call the local humane society for a list of pet-friendly communities. True or false?

a. True.

b. False.

QUESTION #2

Our community has a no-pet policy. Recently, we discovered that a resident has a cat in her unit. She said that she’s disabled and it’s an emotional support animal. It seems like she’s just trying to keep her pet cat, so we can enforce the lease to require her to remove the animal. True or false?

a. True.

b. False.

QUESTION #3

Our community allows pets, but they can’t be more than 20 pounds. If a disabled resident says she needs a larger dog as an assistance animal, then we should consider making an exception to the weight restriction as a reasonable accommodation. True or false?

a. True.

b. False.

COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

QUESTION #1

Correct answer: a

Reason: Rule #3 applies here:

     Rule #3: Don’t Treat Assistance Animals as Pets

Communities may generally adopt policies to prohibit or otherwise restrict pets, as long as you consider requests for exceptions to the policies as a reasonable accommodation when necessary to allow an individual with a disability to keep an assistance animal.

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rules #1 & #3 apply here:

     Rule #1: Think FHA—not ADA—When It Comes to Animals

     Rule #3: Don’t Treat Assistance Animals as Pets

Despite your instincts, don’t dismiss the possibility that she may be entitled to keep the cat under fair housing law. It’s true that cats can’t be service animals, but fair housing law is broad enough to permit an individual with a disability to have an assistance animal other than a dog, including an emotional support animal, if she has a disability-related need for the animal.

QUESTION #3

Correct answer: a

Reason: Rules #2 & #3 apply here:

     Rule #2: Don’t Take Narrow View of Assistance Animals

     Rule #3: Don’t Treat Assistance Animals as Pets

Under fair housing law, communities must consider a request for an exception to pet policies, including size or weight restrictions, as a reasonable accommodation when necessary to allow an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the property.