Definition of Service Animals on Campus
In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (28 CFR §35.104 and 28 CFR §36.104), “Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability.”
Examples of such work or tasks include guiding individuals who are blind, alerting individuals who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and/or protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other specific duties. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Guidelines for Use of a Service Animal on Campus
- A service animal must be harnessed, leashed or tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In such cases, the handler must maintain control through voice, signal or other effective controls.
- Dogs are not required to wear identifying harness, jacket or tag showing that they are service animals.
- The handler has full responsibility and liability for the behavior of their animal and is responsible for any damage that the animal may cause.
- The care and supervision of the service animal is the responsibility of the handler. The animal must be under the control of the handler at all times.
- The handler has full responsibility for the cleanup and proper disposal of all animal waste.
- A service animal may be removed by campus authorities if it is disruptive, aggressive, unhygienic or behaving in ways outside of the duties of a service animal (wandering, barking, etc.).
- Concerns about the behavior, toileting, health or handling of the animal should be addressed to the handler and to the Accessibility Services Office.