Legal Question in Disability Law in Massachusetts

I have a severe allergy to dogs of all types. My allergist (a Massachusetts MD) wrote me a letter to give to my employer, which I did. The letter basically says that I should not be within the proximity of dogs. The issue is this: there is a dog in my office being trained under the NEADS program ( www.neads.org ). The NEADS trainer has advised that under MA General Laws there is a law that refers to "Service Animal and Training Laws" such as G.L. c. 129, � 39F and G.L. c. 129 � 39D plus othe MGLs. My question is this: what rights do I have as a person with a severe alleregy to dogs if there is a dog present in my work place? Do the MA laws for Service Assistance Dogs have priority over my illness (severe allergic reactions to dogs)? Also, my physician has stated in his letter that I should not be in proximity of dogs - does this prevent the "trainer" from walking the dog in the aisle past my office cubicle. I note that there is no one in our offices who requires a Service Assistance Dog - the only reason that the dog is here is for training purposes.

Thank you,

Ted Davis.


Asked on 4/12/11, 6:01 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
William Harrington Law Office of William T. Harrington

It would be helpful to know what you do for a job. Regardless, you want to request a reasonable accommodation so that you can continue to work, without being around the dog. Since I don't know enough about your job or your condition, I don't know what that entails. Maybe it involves not having the dog there, or having the dog being trained away from you, or of you moving to a different location.

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Answered on 4/12/11, 7:37 am


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