Service Animal Policy

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, service animals are permitted in University facilities. Technically speaking a service animal means any guide dog, signal dog or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including but not limited to guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing, providing minimal rescue or protection work, pulling a wheelchair, fetching dropped items, or assisting people with seizure response. Service animals may include, but are not limited to: Guide Dogs or animals, Hearing Dogs or animals, Service/Support Dog or animal, Ssig Dog or animal, or a Seizure Response Dog or animal.

To work on campus, a service animal must be specifically trained to perform a service function. Furthermore, the animal should typically wear a harness, cape, identification tag or other gear that readily identifies its working status. Service animals whose behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or is disruptive to the campus community may be excluded regardless of training or certification.

Requirements of Service Animals and their Partners/Handlers:

1. Training: To work on campus, a service animal must be specifically trained to perform a service function. If an animal meets this definition, it is considered a service animal regardless of whether it has been licensed or certified by a state or local government or a training program, or been trained by its partner or other handler.
    
2. Under Control of Partner/Handler: The partner/handler must be
   in full control of the animal at all times. The care and supervision
   of a service animal is solely the responsibility of its
   partner/handler.
    
3. Owner ID and Other Tags: Some handlers carry proof of
   certification from the school that trained the animal, but
   certification cannot be required. All dogs must be licensed under state and/or local ordinances.
    
4. Health: The animal must be in good health. Animals to be housed in campus housing must have an annual clean bill of health from a licensed veterinarian. The animal must meet the same licensure requirements for health that all animals are required to have in conjunction with state and local ordinances for an animal in public.
    
5. Cleanup Rule: a) Always carry equipment sufficient to clean up
   the dog’s feces whenever the dog and partner are off the partner’s property; b) Never allow the dog to defecate on any property, public or private (except the partner’s own property), unless the partner immediately removes the waste; c) Properly dispose of the feces. (Individuals with disabilities who cannot physically clean up after their own service animal may not be required to pick up and dispose of feces. However, when possible, please ask a person nearby to assist you.)
    
6. A person with a disability who utilizes a service animal will be registered with the Disability Support Services Office, providing thorough documentation of the disability and need to have a service animal on campus.

Removal of a Service Animal

Disruption: The partner of an animal that is unruly or disruptive (e.g. barking, running around, bringing attention to itself, may be asked to remove the animal from university facilities. If the improper behavior happens repeatedly, the partner may be told not to bring the animal into any university facility until the partner takes significant steps to mitigate the behavior. Mitigation can include muzzling a barking animal or refresher training for both the animal and the partner. 

Ill Health: Service animals who are ill should not be taken into public areas. A partner with an ill animal may be asked to leave university facilities with the animal. 

Grievances

Any partner with a decision made concerning a service animal should follow the applicable institutional Appeal/Grievance procedures, starting with the Disability Support Services Office.

Requirements for Faculty, Staff and Students:

1. Allow a service animal to accompany the partner at all times and
   everywhere on campus, except where service animals are
   specifically prohibited.
    
2. Do not pet a service animal; petting a service animal when the
   animal is working distracts the animal from the task at hand.
    
3. Do not feed a service animal. The service animal may have
   specific dietary requirements. Unusual food or food at an
   unexpected time may cause the animal to become ill.
    
4. Do not deliberately startle a service animal.
    
5. Do not separate or attempt to separate a partner/handler from his or her service animal.