Service Animals
A service animal is any dog (of any size, weight or breed) 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 unless specifically allowed as such by applicable law.
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 for the above access. 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 (e.g., the service animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control or the service animal is not housebroken), or poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others (e.g., a surgery or burn unit in a hospital in which a sterile field is required).