Service Animals
A service animal is 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 considered service animals.
Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or tasks performed must be directly related to the individual’s disability. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition. The College may permit the use of a miniature horse on the same basis as a service animal in some situations; such requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Individuals with disabilities can bring their service animal into all College facilities where members of the public, program participants, clients, customers, patrons, or invitees are allowed. No prior approval is necessary. A service animal can be excluded from certain areas of College facilities if its presence would fundamentally alter the nature of a program or activity, be disruptive, or interfere with legitimate safety requirements (e.g. a surgery or burn unit in a hospital in which a sterile field is required).