(a) Under U.S. federal law there are no standards or procedures for certifying a service animal. Certification is not required as a condition of using an animal as a service animal. However, the person using the animal must meet the legal definition of “”disability”” (42 U.S.C. § 12102 – Definition of disability) and their dog must be individually trained to perform tasks that mitigate the owner’s disability.

(b) Fake certification is an issue for the disabled community. These “”fakers”” diminish the reputation of real teams by behaving inappropriately.

(1) Under federal law, service animals do not need certification.(2) A business may only verify an animal is a service animal by asking

(A) whether it is required because of the person’s disability; and

(B) what the dog is trained to do to mitigate that disability.

They may ask this regardless of whether a dog is “”certified,”” and an owner who refuses to answer can be barred from the facility.

(c) (1) A license is something that all dogs are required to have.

(2) All categories of service animals, therapy dogs or professional working dogs are not exempt from any licensing requirements pursuant to Guam law as provided pursuant to § 34102 (Pet License Required) of Article 1 of this Chapter 34, and other applicable laws, rules and regulations.

(d) Owners and handlers of service dogs, professional working dogs and therapy dogs when used in interventions are encouraged to use specific identification, in an adequate form and design (such as a vest).

2017 NOTE: Subsection/subitem designations added pursuant to authority of 1 Guam Code Ann. § 1606.