Fact checked

Are Dogs Allowed in Walgreens?

Author
Kristi Carignan
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at
·
December 12, 2024
April 28, 2023
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5 minute read
Updated By
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Expert Reviewed By:
Grant FiddesGrant Fiddes
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SEO Associate
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Pettable
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April 28, 2023
August 29, 2023
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5 minute read
Updated By
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Unsure whether your dog is allowed into Walgreens? Learn more about the specific rules for bringing your dog out in public with Pettable.

If your furry friend is your greatest companion, you likely want to take them everywhere with you. You've probably asked yourself, 'Are dogs allowed in Walgreens?'. 

If you like taking your dog on shopping trips and are wondering about Walgreens, it's time to read on. 

Does Walgreens Allow Dogs?

Dogs are generally not allowed in Walgreens stores, as it is a pharmacy and retail chain that prioritizes the health and safety of its customers. However, service dogs trained to assist individuals with disabilities are an exception and are permitted to accompany their owners inside Walgreens locations as required by law.

What is the Walgreens Dog Policy? 

As a general rule, Walgreens is not a pet-friendly store. This rule applies to all pet animals and doesn't include service dogs and psychiatric service dogs. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are permitted in all areas where the general public is allowed.  

Are Dogs Allowed in Walgreens?

Generally speaking, only service dogs and psychiatric service dogs are allowed in Walgreens stores. While individual stores may have their own unique policies, this blanket rule applies to most Walgreens stores. 

Tips for Bringing Your Dog to Walgreens 

If you have a service dog or a psychiatric service dog and want to visit Walgreens, there are a few tips to follow to ensure an enjoyable experience for all. 

  1. Ensure your pup is well-behaved, especially around food items and other customers. 
  2. Ensure that it's leashed (unless the leash or harness impacts its ability to perform a disability-related task).
  3. Make sure they are toilet trained and bring a clean-up kit along in case of any accidents. 

Are Service Dogs Allowed in Walgreens?

Yes, as stipulated in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are allowed to enter any area that the public can access. As such, all service dogs and psychiatric service dogs are permitted in Walgreens. 

Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed in Walgreens? 

Emotional support animals (ESAs), while providing great companionship and support to their owners and enhancing their well-being, do not have the same accessibility rights as service dogs and psychiatric service dogs. This is because ESAs while offering great support, are not trained for a specific disability-related function. 

Nonetheless, ESA letters can help owners keep their animals in homes where pets are not usually permitted or to board certain flights. They can also allow owners to be exempt from specific pet fees in public places. Explore ESA laws for more information on the benefits. 

A qualified mental health therapist should always write ESA letters, and this can be arranged via Pettable. 

Are Dog Strollers Allowed in Walgreens? 

Only service dogs who are trained to perform a specific function for a disability are generally allowed in Walgreens stores. This means that normal pups in dog strollers won't be permitted to enter most stores. 

Can Walgreens Ask for Proof of a Service Dog?

Under ADA regulations, public enterprises, such as restaurants, shops, cafes, non-profits, and entertainment hubs cannot legally ask for a service dog certification. However, they can ask two essential questions of the owner: 

  1. Is this dog trained to support a disability for its owner? 
  2. What task-specific function related to the disability does the dog perform?

List of Dog-Friendly Stores

Luckily, there are many dog-friendly stores in the US. While it is always best to phone the specific store in advance to double-check, these stores are generally dog-friendly:

  • 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 

Online Psychiatric Service Dog Training with Pettable 

The ADA also recognizes both physical disability service dogs and psychiatric service dogs (PSDs). 

There are similarities between emotional support animals and PSDs because both offer psychiatric support to their owners. However, PSDs are trained to perform a specific function related to the owner's psychiatric disability. 

If you want to learn more about our PSD training course, explore our online certification and enjoy the comfort of self-studying from home. The course runs over 15 sessions by a qualified professional and will give owners the tools to train their dogs to become PSDs. 

Take our quick 3-minute assessment to see if this could help you.

The Bottom Line 

Many stores in the US are dog-friendly. However, others only permit service dogs and psychiatric service dogs. While certain stores might have individualized dog policies, it's always a good idea to call in advance just to double-check before bringing your dog along for the ride. 

Meet the author:
Kristi Carignan
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Kristi Carignan is a seasoned freelance writer with over 20 years of experience crafting copy for global agencies and brands. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her furry companions, Sugar the PomChi and Rudy the Shiba Inu, and indulging in hobbies like crafting and home renovation.

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