NWFA Service Animal Policy
To ensure accessibility and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following policy governs the presence of animals at any NWFA events, including NWFA EXPO and affiliated events:
Permitted Animals
Only service animals are permitted within the trade show premises. A service animal is defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III as a dog that is individually trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a person’s disability.
Examples of qualifying tasks include:
- Guiding individuals who are blind
- Alerting individuals who are deaf
- Assisting with mobility or balance
- Detecting and responding to medical conditions (e.g., seizures, blood sugar levels)
- Providing psychiatric support through trained tasks (e.g., interrupting disassociation episodes)
Not Permitted Animals
The following animals do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not permitted at any NWFA event, including NWFA EXPO:
- Emotional support animals
- Therapy animals
- Comfort animals
- Pets of any kind
Handler Responsibilities
- Service animals must remain under control at all times, either by being leashed, harnessed, or responding to voice commands.
- The handler is responsible for the care, supervision, and behavior of the service animal.
- If a service animal is disruptive, aggressive, or poses a health/safety risk, event staff may request its removal while continuing to accommodate the individual.
On-Site Coordination
NWFA, venue, and event staff are trained to recognize ADA-compliant service animal protocols. No documentation, certification, or identification is required, and staff may only ask the following questions:
- Is the animal required because of a disability?
- What task has the animal been trained to perform?
We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and legally compliant environment for all attendees of NWFA events.