As requests involving service animals, emotional support animals (ESAs), and companion animals continue to rise, employers are finding themselves navigating a complex and often misunderstood legal landscape. With mental health awareness growing and more employees seeking accommodations, HR teams must ensure they respond appropriately, consistently, and in full compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.

This webinar offers a practical, legally grounded roadmap for handling animal-related accommodation requests in the workplace. Whether you manage HR, oversee compliance, handle ADA processes, or support workforce operations, this session will equip you with the clarity and confidence needed to make compliant decisions.

You’ll gain a clear understanding of what the ADA, Section 504, and related laws actually require—what counts as a true service animal, when ESAs may be considered, what questions employers can ask, and how to respond to requests without infringing on employee rights or exposing your organization to liability.

We’ll also address real-world challenges, including managing concerns from co-workers, addressing safety and productivity risks, and navigating obligations for public-facing environments.

Key Discussion Points

• Breakdown of the ADA, Section 504, and applicable state/local regulations
• Clear distinctions: service animals vs. emotional support animals vs. companion animals
• Employer obligations—and limitations—when evaluating accommodation requests
• What documentation you can request legally (and what you cannot)
• How to manage conflicting needs such as allergies, phobias, or safety concerns
• Title III considerations for organizations serving the public
• Practical strategies to avoid discrimination claims and legal missteps

What You’ll Gain From Attending

• A firm grasp of the legal framework governing animals in the workplace
• Clarity on the different types of animals and how each affects your compliance approach
• Tools to build or refine policies for employee, customer, and visitor accommodation requests
• Guidance on handling documentation requirements without violating ADA rules
• Confidence in navigating sensitive issues such as co-worker objections or health concerns
• Best practices for public-facing business environments and Title III obligations
• Actionable insights to reduce risk and ensure legally compliant decision-making

This session will provide the practical knowledge and frameworks you need to confidently evaluate accommodation requests while safeguarding your organization’s compliance posture.

Who Should Attend

HR leaders, managers, compliance officers, in-house legal teams, accommodation specialists, supervisors, and anyone involved in ADA-related decisions or workplace policy development