PET AND Service Animal Policy

At The Ayrshire Collection properties, we are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all our guests. While pets and emotional support animals are NOT permitted on the property, we proudly accommodate service animals as defined by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Please review the following guidelines:

SERVICE ANIMAL GUIDELINES
• Service animals are welcome and must be trained to assist individuals with disabilities by performing specific tasks.
• Under the AODA, a service animal is identifiable by either a vest, harness, or documentation from a regulated health professional confirming the animal is required for disability-related needs.
• Documentation must be provided at check-in to verify the service animal’s role in supporting accessibility needs.

SUPPORT AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS
• Emotional support animals, therapy animals, and comfort animals are not considered service animals under the AODA or the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and are not permitted on the property.
• The OHRC distinguishes between service animals trained to provide assistance and emotional support animals, which offer comfort but do not have specific training to perform disability-related tasks.
• Unlike service animals, emotional support animals are not granted public access rights in Ontario. This means hotels, restaurants, and other establishments are not legally required to accommodate them.
• Guests are welcome to contact us in advance for clarification on these regulations and to discuss any accommodations they may require for accessibility.

BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS
• Service animals must remain under the owner’s control at all times and be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless such devices interfere with the animal’s work or the guest’s disability prevents their use.
• The hotel reserves the right to request a service animal be removed from the property if it poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, behaves aggressively, or causes significant disruptions.

ACCESS AREAS
• Service animals are allowed in all areas of the hotel open to guests, including guest rooms and public spaces. The owner must ensure the service animal’s behaviour does not disrupt other guests or hotel operations.

GUEST RESPONSIBILITIES
• Guests are responsible for cleaning up after their service animals and for any damages caused during their stay.
• Hotel staff are not responsible for supervising, feeding, or providing care for service animals.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us provide an accessible and enjoyable experience for all our guests.

For additional information regarding Ontario laws or accessibility accommodations, please contact our team at 226-962 6394 or stay@theayrshirehotel.com.