Someone showed you this card. Here is the law in one minute.

1. The only two questions you may ask

When it is not obvious what the dog does:

1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

If the answer is yes and a task is named, the dog may come in with its handler.

2. What you may not do

• Ask about the person's disability.
• Ask for documentation, such as proof the dog is certified, trained or licensed. That includes this card.
• Ask the dog to demonstrate its task.
• Charge a pet fee or deposit for a service dog, or treat the handler less favorably.
• Refuse because of allergies or fear of dogs. The Department of Justice says these are not valid reasons to deny access.

3. When you may ask the dog to leave

Only if the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, or the dog is not housebroken. If you do, you must still offer the person your goods or services without the dog.

4. Emotional support animals and dogs in training

Emotional support animals are not service animals under the ADA, because comfort is not a trained task. Your pet policy can apply, though some state and local laws differ.

Dogs in training are not covered by the ADA. Many states cover them in some way: Nevada, for example, gives access to people training a service animal. See service dog laws by state.

5. What this card is

A voluntary, private registration. The details were supplied by the handler, we do not test or verify dogs, and the card says "Not a government ID." In the Department of Justice's words, documents like this "do not convey any rights under the ADA and the Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that the dog is a service animal." So do not rely on it either way: the two questions are what count.

Sources: 28 CFR 36.302(c); U.S. Department of Justice, ADA service animal FAQ. General information, not legal advice.