Thank you for your interest in our Pet and Service Animal Policy here at Cider Mountain!

As pet owners ourselves, I can say that Cider Mountain loves animals! However, running a business requires us to take specific actions and implement policies that follow the law and give our customers the best experience possible.

Cider Mountain’s Pet and Service Animal Policy

Cider Mountain warmly welcomes registered service animals that are trained to perform tasks for those guests with physical or mental disabilities. Emotional support animals and other pets are not allowed at the venue.

The Laws Behind Our Policy

Service animals are protected under Idaho State laws and federal law through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, the laws do not protect emotional support animals. This means the two categories of animals are treated differently in regards to public accommodations. 

For clarification, emotional support animals are those that “provide an individual with comfort and companionship.” On the other hand, a service animal is specifically “a dog that has been trained to perform tasks for individuals with physical disabilities.” (See Reference)

Federal law also recognizes service animals for people with mental disabilities even though Idaho does not specify this. Cider Mountain, and other public accommodations in Idaho, need to abide by both laws.

This is why trained and certified service animals (the law specifies dogs only)  are allowed at the venue for individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities.

Neither the ADA or Idaho State law covers emotional support animals. This means a public business does not need to accommodate the requests for allowing them on a premises; they can deny entry into public accommodations. This is due to, in part, because of the lack of training emotional support animals receive. 

Here is more information about emotional support animals, the difference in protection, and also how they can affect certified service animals.

Additional “Whys” Behind Our Decision

Here at Cider Mountain, the nature of our business requires us to also take into consideration the effect animals have on the property and other guests.

Let’s be honest…can you imagine a bride stepping in dog doo doo on the day of her wedding?! We’re pretty sure there is some kind of superstition behind that. 😉

We also put a tremendous amount of work, water and money into keeping the venue lawn beautiful. As an outdoor wedding venue, first impressions are everything! So, yellow spots, dead grass, and holes are a big deal, and cause us to deliver something less than promised for a couple’s important day. 

Additionally, with our family-style lodging we want to be respectful of our guests (current and future) with pet allergies. Unfortunately we’re unable to offer pet/non-pet accommodations, which means they all need to be non-pet.

For these reasons, and in accordance with federal and Idaho state laws, there are no exceptions to our Pet and Service Animal Policy written above.  

Although we hope no one would do this, please remember that it is against the law to pass off a pet or emotional support animal as a service animal. 

If you or a guest will be bringing a service animal, please contact us two weeks prior to arrival. 

If you had hoped to have your pet be part of your ceremony or pictures, we do highly recommend (and allow) a local pet concierge service, Wag n’ Wed. They transport and manage your pet for a specific timeframe so that you can still have your pup with you during these special moments and abide by our policies.

Thank you again for your interest in and adherence to this policy. 🐾

—The Cider Mountain Owners & Team, June 2023