Service Animal Policy
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is defined as...
"...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 to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items." 28 C.F.R. § 36.104.
The ADA does not limit the kind of animal that can provide service or the types of tasks or work a service animal can perform, however, there must be a direct link between the task an animal performs and the individual with a disability. Service animals must be permitted to accompany a person with a disability anywhere on campus or off campus as the activity (e.g. internship, field work, etc.) pertains to the curriculum. If there are any questions as to whether an animal qualifies as a service animal, a determination will be made by the Section 504 Compliance Officer/ADA Coordinator in consultation with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).
In compliance with the ADA, service animals are welcome in all buildings on campus and may attend any class, meeting, or other event. Disabled students desiring to use a service animal on campus should first contact the OSD to register as a student with a disability. The Documentation Review Committee will evaluate the disability and recommend any additional accommodations appropriate to the functional limitations of the disability.
Faculty or staff desiring the use of a service animal on campus should contact the Office of Human Resources. The Director (or designee) of Human Resources will evaluate the disability and make any appropriate recommendations.
- Service dogs must be licensed in accordance with county regulations and wear a vaccination tag.
- Other types of service animals must have vaccinations appropriate for that type of animal.
- Service animals must be in good health. Service animals to be housed in university housing must have an annual clean bill of health from a licensed veterinarian.
- Service animals must be on a leash at all times.
- The owner must be in full control of the service animal at all times.
- The owner should provide OSD information as to how the service animal accommodates for their disability.
Reasonable behavior is expected from service animals while on campus. If a service dog, for example, exhibits unacceptable behavior, the owner is expected to employ the proper training techniques to correct the situation.
The owners of disruptive and aggressive service animals may be asked to remove them from University facilities. If the improper behavior happens repeatedly, the owner may be told not to bring the service animal into any facility until they take significant steps to mitigate the behavior. This mitigation may include muzzling a barking dog, or refresher training for the service animal and its owner.
Cleanliness of the service animal is mandatory. Daily grooming and occasional baths (at a vet or a family home) should keep service dog odor to a minimum. Flea control is essential and adequate preventative measures should be taken. If a flea problem develops, it should be dealt with immediately and in an effective manner.
Consideration of others must be taken into account when providing maintenance and hygiene of service animals. (Adapted from California State University, Bakersfield SSD)
Individual Assistance
Service animals are welcome in all buildings on campus and may attend any class, meeting, or other event. Disabled students desiring to use a service animal on campus should first contact the OSD to register as a student with a disability.
