Service Animals

Visiting with a Service Animal

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park welcomes all visitors, including those who travel with service animals. We recognize the important role service animals play in supporting independence and access, and we are committed to creating a respectful and safe experience for everyone.

 

What Is a Service Animal?

A service animal is defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as a dog that has been individually trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability. These tasks may include guiding individuals who are blind, alerting individuals who are deaf, assisting with mobility, responding to seizures, or supporting certain psychiatric or neurological conditions.

Animals that provide comfort or emotional support, but are not trained to perform a specific task, are not considered service animals under federal law. These animals may not enter park buildings.

 

Where Service Animals Are Welcome

Service animals are allowed in all public areas of the park that are managed by the National Park Service, including:

• Visitor Center
• Visitor Center Garden
• Link Building
• Corson Building
  • Theater
  • Second-floor MakerSpace
• Other public outdoor and indoor areas operated by the park

Please note that some buildings and locations within the park boundary are privately owned or managed by partner organizations, and their policies may differ. We recommend contacting these sites directly for more information about their service animal and pet policies.

 

Responsibilities of Handlers

To help ensure the comfort and safety of all visitors, we ask that service animals remain:

• Leashed, harnessed, or tethered, unless those devices interfere with the animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents their use
• Under effective control at all times through voice, signal, or other means if not on a leash

Handlers are responsible for supervising and caring for their animals during their visit. Park staff are not able to provide food, water, or relief areas for animals, so please plan accordingly.

 

Responsibilities of Handlers

To help ensure the comfort and safety of all visitors, we ask that service animals remain:

• Leashed, harnessed, or tethered, unless those devices interfere with the animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents their use
• Under effective control at all times through voice, signal, or other means if not on a leash

Handlers are responsible for supervising and caring for their animals during their visit. Park staff are not able to provide food, water, or relief areas for animals, so please plan accordingly.

 

What to Expect from Park Staff or Volunteers

If it is not obvious that your dog is a service animal, staff may ask the two questions permitted by law:

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

We will never ask for documentation, require the animal to demonstrate its task, or inquire about your disability.

 

Need Assistance?

We are here to help. If you have questions about accessibility or want to plan your visit in advance, please contact us at 508-996-4095. Our team will gladly assist you.

To learn more about service animals in national parks, visit Service Animals in National Parks

For information about pets at the park, visit our Pets page.