Disability Resources Disability Resources

SERVICE SERVICE ANIMALS ANIMALS

A SERVICE ANIMAL IS: A SERVICE ANIMAL IS: • An animal individually trained to • An animal individually trained to perform work or tasks for the perform work or tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. benefit of a person with a disability. • A right, not an accommodation. • A right, not an accommodation. Having a service animal does not Having a service animal does not require approval from the Office require approval from the Office of Disability Resources. of Disability Resources. • Allowed to enter most public areas, • Allowed to enter most public areas, with limited exceptions. with limited exceptions. • A dog or a miniature horse. • A dog or a miniature horse.

ONLY TWO QUESTIONS ARE ONLY TWO QUESTIONS ARE PERMITTED BY LAW: PERMITTED BY LAW: • Is the animal a service animal • Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability? required because of a disability? • What work or tasks has the animal • What work or tasks has the animal been trained to perform? been trained to perform?

Office of Disability Resources Office of Disability Resources Lee Hall, Room 401 Lee Hall, Room 401 540-654-1266 540-654-1266 [email protected] [email protected] THINGS TO KNOW: THINGS TO KNOW: • Not every disability is visible. • Not every disability is visible. • There is no universally recognized certification for service • There is no universally recognized certification for service animals or trainers. animals or trainers. • The handler, trainer, or user of the service animal is responsible • The handler, trainer, or user of the service animal is responsible for its care and supervision, including toileting, feeding, for its care and supervision, including toileting, feeding, grooming, and veterinary care. grooming, and veterinary care. • Service animals may be trained by professional trainers, • Service animals may be trained by professional trainers, organizations, or the handlers themselves. organizations, or the handlers themselves. • Animals in training are not afforded the same rights as service • Animals in training are not afforded the same rights as service animals. animals. • A service animal is not required to wear a vest, ID tag, or specific • A service animal is not required to wear a vest, ID tag, or specific harness, according to federal law. harness, according to federal law.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT OF THE STUDENT AND THE DOG? WHAT CAN I EXPECT OF THE STUDENT AND THE DOG? • The animal is obedient, and the owner respects property • The animal is obedient, and the owner respects property and space. and space. • The animal is controlled or leashed. • The animal is controlled or leashed. • The animal is well-groomed and odor-free. • The animal is well-groomed and odor-free. • The handler or user of the animal immediately cleans up waste. • The handler or user of the animal immediately cleans up waste.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE DOG AND OWNER ARE NOT WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE DOG AND OWNER ARE NOT BEHAVING? BEHAVING? • If the behaviors are dangerous or interfering, ask them to leave • If the behaviors are dangerous or interfering, ask them to leave the building. the building.

WHAT SHOULD I NOT DO? WHAT SHOULD I NOT DO? • You cannot ask for documentation that the animal is a service • You cannot ask for documentation that the animal is a service animal or for proof of training. animal or for proof of training. • Do not make assumptions or say you don’t think the animal is • Do not make assumptions or say you don’t think the animal is really a service animal. really a service animal. • You cannot require prior notice (with the exception of housing, • You cannot require prior notice (with the exception of housing, which falls under HUD laws that differ in some cases from ADA which falls under HUD laws that differ in some cases from ADA requirements.). requirements.). • Do not pet a service animal without permission. Always ask • Do not pet a service animal without permission. Always ask the handler before petting an animal; this is a working animal the handler before petting an animal; this is a working animal performing a necessary task for an individual with a disability. performing a necessary task for an individual with a disability.