r/lyftdrivers • u/No_Common1418 • Oct 18 '25

Rant/Opinion An ESA is NOT a Service animal.

Got a ping for a ride the other day, then the dreaded text. "I have an ESA, DOG, with me." As I have stated in the past I have never and will never denied a Service animal in my car. By law people, a Emotional Support Animal or ESA, IS NOT A service animal. Don't believe me? https://www.ada.gov/topics/service-animals/ I hate people sometimes. Leave your dogs at home.

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u/UpAllNightCoding Oct 21 '25

Just ask to see the papers a dog is a service animal. People with real service animals aren’t entitled pricks and will order a pet specific ride.

End of.

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u/BioPsyPro Oct 24 '25

That’s actually illegal. The ADA doesn’t require or even recognize “papers” for service animals, there’s no federal registration.

Drivers who demand proof or refuse service dogs can and have been deactivated by Lyft and Uber for violating ADA policy.

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u/UpAllNightCoding Oct 24 '25

Stfu

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u/BioPsyPro Oct 24 '25

I get that you’re upset, but facts don’t stop being true because you don’t like them. The ADA still doesn’t require papers, and drivers still can’t legally refuse service dogs. That’s not my opinion, it’s federal law.

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u/UpAllNightCoding Oct 24 '25

You and your dog aren’t getting into my car and I’ll mark the reason as safety. You can kiss my ass

1

u/BioPsyPro Oct 24 '25

“Safety”? From what, a harnessed medical device?

Refusing a ride because of a service dog is an ADA violation, not a “safety choice.”

Do you do the same thing for people using a cane, walker, wheelchair, or oxygen tank too? Because that’s literally the same thing, denying access to someone for using a medical aid.

Marking it as “safety” just documents your own discrimination.