The following was added to the CIASCNA Policy manual after GSRs approved on April 6th 2025
No pets are allowed at CIASCNA related events. The primary reason for this is our insurance policy does not provide coverage for pets or the actions of pets and we must limit our liability. The only exception are dogs which meet the requirements of service animals as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Unless the dog meets the requirements for service animals as per the description below, the person shall politely be asked to leave and may return without the animal.
This policy applies to CIASCNA meetings and events only – (committee meetings, activities, the convention, etc.) and not group NA meetings. Groups may abide by policy set by the facility where the meeting is held.
Additional information and guidance can be found on our website [here, below] including the role that CIASCNA event organizers (Staff) may take in confirming that a dog is a service animal, issues related to emotional support animals, and what to do if an admitted service animal is disruptive.
Per THE TEXT OF THE REVISED TITLE III REGULATIONS OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT, 28 CFR § 36.104:
“Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability” … “the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.”
ADA law may be updated from time to time and any changes to the law shall supersede what is written here.
Additional information
The below information seeks to summarize the law and the role that CIASCNA event organizers (Staff) may take in confirming that a dog is a service animal, issues related to emotional support animals, and what to do if an admitted service animal is disruptive.
Per ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/:
- If a person with a dog arrives at a CIASCNA event and “…it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two specific questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Staff are not allowed to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability.”
- “Are emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals considered service animals under the ADA? No. These terms are used to describe animals that provide comfort just by being with a person. Because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.” Indiana law makes no exceptions for emotional support animals per in.gov/idr/files/Emotional-Support-Animals-Fact-Sheet-Eng-2024.9.24.pdf “…because of the higher standard for service animals, service animals must be granted access to places of public accommodation and public programs, while emotional support animal access is limited to the owner’s residence.”
- A person who is permitted to bring their service animal into the event may be informed that, per the law, the animal must: “…be under the control of the handler at all times…The service animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered while in public places unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the person’s disability prevents use of these devices” therefore “If a service animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, staff may request that the animal be removed from the premises.” This does include repeated, unwarranted barking.