Customer Support
Service animals, emotional support animals — whatever you call them, just don’t call them pets! Navigating Fair Housing laws related to assistance animals can be tricky, and as public awareness grows, management teams must be prepared to handle requests appropriately.
This session focuses on service and assistance animals as reasonable accommodations under Fair Housing laws. Participants will gain a clear understanding of legal definitions, HUD guidance, and best practices for service and emotional support animal accommodation requests.
Learning Objectives
- The legal definition of service and assistance animals under the Fair Housing Act.
- The difference between the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding assistance animals.
- Best practices for handling requests, using appropriate language, and ensuring compliance.
Our Speaker
Katie Rigsby
President & CEO | Katie Rigsby Inspires, LLC
Katie Rigsby, CAPS, CAM, CALP, is a multifamily maven with 25 years of experience in residential property management. She has held roles ranging from leasing professional and property manager to multisite supervisor and senior executive, overseeing a multimillion-dollar budget, a team of 200, and an extensive real estate portfolio. As a Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor, Certified Apartment Manager, Certified Apartment Leasing Professional, and licensed Louisiana Realtor, Katie is dedicated to advancing industry education. She contributes to the industry as an NAAEI Advanced Facilitator and by serving on local and national association committees.
As the President and CEO of Katie Rigsby Inspires, LLC, she provides consulting and training to help property management professionals excel in customer service, sales, marketing, leadership, and Fair Housing compliance. Known for her engaging and humorous approach, she delivers impactful learning experiences designed to educate and inspire.
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