Introduction

In the UK, disabled people have important rights under the Equality Act 2010, specifically section 173. The Equality Act makes it unlawful to treat disabled individuals less favourably than those without disabilities, although it recognises limited circumstances where such treatment may be justified. Under Section 29 of the Act, BrisDoc is legally obliged to make all reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled individuals have equal access to our services. Assistance dogs play a vital and central role in supporting many people with disabilities.

The Equality Act 2010 requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments for their disabled users and customers to prevent any disadvantage compared to non-disabled individuals. This requirement includes permitting access to assistance dogs where reasonable. While Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) do not have the same level of legally recognised status as assistance dogs, parliamentary advice suggests that if a person meets the Act’s definition of disability and has an ESA to help manage that disability, service providers should consider allowing access to the animal.

In addition to assistance dogs, we recognise the important role that other assistance animals, including ESAs, may play in supporting individuals with disabilities. While assistance dogs are generally permitted, the inclusion of other assistance animals, such as ESAs, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. This decision will depend on an assessment conducted by the most senior employee present, ensuring that the animal’s presence aligns with the safety, health, and operational needs of our facility.