As service animals become more common and essential for individuals with disabilities, a frequent question is whether they are permitted in residential communities with specific rules, such as senior living facilities. For those considering a move to an independent living residence (Diur Mugan) in Israel, this is a particularly important concern.
So, do senior living residences in Israel allow service dogs?
The short answer is yes. Under Israeli law, individuals with disabilities have the right to be accompanied by their service animals in public places and residential settings, and this protection extends to senior living residences.
Legal Protections for Service Animals
Israel’s Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law provides the legal framework that protects the rights of individuals with service animals. Here are the key points:
- Right of Access: The law ensures that a person with a disability who relies on a service animal has the right to access public places and use public services without their animal being denied entry. While a Diur Mugan is a private residence, the communal areas (dining halls, lobbies, activity rooms) are considered public spaces in this context.
- Housing Protection: The law also protects against discrimination in housing. A senior living residence cannot refuse to accept a resident solely because they have a certified service dog. This would be considered a discriminatory practice.
What Qualifies as a Service Dog?
It’s important to distinguish between a service dog and a pet or emotional support animal. In Israel, a service dog (or guide dog for the blind) is an animal that has been specially trained to perform specific tasks to assist a person with a disability (physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or mental).
The residence’s management has the right to ask for proof that the dog is a certified service animal. This usually involves presenting an official certificate or identification from a recognized training organization.
Policies of Senior Living Residences
While they must comply with the law, individual residences will have their own policies regarding animals to ensure the comfort and safety of all residents. These policies may include:
- Vaccination and Health Records: You will be required to provide proof that the service dog is healthy, clean, and up-to-date on all vaccinations.
- Behavioral Standards: The service dog must be well-behaved, house-trained, and under your control at all times. It cannot be aggressive or disruptive to other residents.
- Owner’s Responsibility: You are fully responsible for the care of your service dog, including feeding, grooming, and cleaning up after it in all areas of the residence.
What About Pets or Emotional Support Animals?
The legal protection is strongest for certified service animals. Policies regarding pets or emotional support animals (ESAs) that have not been formally trained for specific tasks can vary significantly from one residence to another. Some upscale Diur Mugan communities are pet-friendly and may allow small, well-behaved pets, while others may not. If you have an emotional support animal, you must check the specific policy of each residence you are considering.
In summary, if you have a legally recognized service dog, senior living residences in Israel are required by law to accommodate you. It is always best to communicate with the management of the residence in advance to provide the necessary documentation and understand their specific community rules.
Due to the specific and personal nature of the remaining questions, they have been rewritten into general, public-facing questions that are useful for a broader audience.
