Are Dogs Allowed in Starbucks?

If you're a coffee fan, you're probably wondering if dogs are allowed in Starbucks. With over 15,000 outlets across the US, you've likely seen a Starbucks (or ten) in most cities. If you're pondering their dog policy, we've compiled a quick informational guide of everything you need to know about their stance on service dogs, psychiatric service dogs, and emotional support animals. 

Are Dogs Allowed in Starbucks?

There's some good news and bad news when it comes to dogs and Starbucks. We'll get the bad news out of the way first: Only service dogs are allowed within the inside areas of Starbucks stores. However, many outlets do have outdoor patios, and these are dog-friendly for all leashed dogs. 

Let's look into their dog policy a bit more below and explore how dog owners can enjoy their Starbucks coffee while on an adventure with their pup. 

What is Starbucks' Dog Policy? 

The Starbucks website states:

"Starbucks always welcomes service animals to our stores, and we want every customer who spends time in our stores to enjoy their visit."  

As per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are allowed anywhere the public goes if they are with their owner. The Act defines service dogs as "dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities." They must meet these two criteria to be considered a service dog: 

1.   They support a person with a disability. 

2.   They are trained to perform a specific task related to the disability. 

For example, a dog reminds its owner to take medication for a mental illness or helps an owner with mobility issues. The dog is considered a working dog by law, rather than a pet.

Go Deeper

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Are Emotional Support Dogs Allowed in Starbucks?

Emotional Support Dogs (ESA) dogs are allowed in the same areas as other pet dogs, so only outside areas when it comes to Starbucks. If you're craving a Starbucks specialty and want to bring your furry friend along, there are four ways to manage their dog policy.  

1. Bring your service dog along with you. As per the Americans with Disabilities Act. 
2. Grab a patio table and enjoy your coffee in the sunshine with your pup. 
3. Find your nearest Starbucks with a drive-through and enjoy a beverage while on a road trip with your dog. 
4. Find a Starbucks with a curbside pick-up option and order via your app. This is a great plan if you want to grab a quick coffee on your dog walk. 

Some stores might even have a puppuccino on the menu for your pooch! 

Are Leashed Dogs Allowed in Starbucks? 

Only service dogs are allowed inside Starbucks outlets. According to the ADA, they must be leashed, harnessed, or tethered unless doing so directly hinders their ability to perform tasks. 

Does Starbucks Allow Dogs on the Patio?

Yes, all leashed dogs are allowed in outside areas.  

Can Starbucks Ask for Proof of a Service Dog?

Under ADA regulations, restaurants, and public enterprises cannot ask for a service dog certification. They can, however, ask two questions:  

1. Is this service dog trained to support a disability for its handler?
2. What task-specific functions does the dog perform? 

List of Dog-Friendly Stores

Happily, loads of dog-friendly stores allow dogs at all or most of their locations. US-based stores include:

• Apple Store (Most stores)
• Barnes & Noble (Some stores)
• Bass Pro 
• Bed Bath & Beyond (Most stores)
• Lush Cosmetics 
• Macy's (Some stores)
• Nordstrom 
• Petco 
• PetSmart
• Ross
• The Gap (Most locations)
• TJ Maxx
• Victoria's Secret 

Always call stores in advance to avoid disappointment. 

Online Psychiatric Service Dog Training with Pettable

The ADA also recognizes psychiatric service dogs (PSD). While very similar to ESAs in that they support and alleviate certain psychiatric symptoms, they must be trained to perform a task-related function concerning their owner's disability. ESAs, on the other hand, offer great comfort and support but aren't trained to perform a specific disability-related task. 

Explore our self-paced PSD training program. Access 15 online training sessions by professional trainers and study at your own pace. Take a 3-minute assessment and answer a few questions about your needs. Once you've completed all 15 training sessions, you will receive your PSD certification.

If you have an emotional support animal and need an ESA letter from a licensed mental health practitioner, we can also arrange that in a few simple steps. We'll match you to a therapist in your state, and you'll get your letter within 24-48 hours of approval. If you aren't successful for some reason, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee.