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Service Dog Policies(The following posts were culled from the DSSHE-L archives. Some editing has been done to consolidate space and exclude extraneous remarks, but no changes have been made the to content shown. Not all posts on a given subject are necessarily included here. Information about the date(s) of appearance and subject headings are provided for those who wish to return to the full archives to research this issue in more detail.) I've received a request from a colleague for a model service dog policy. Have any members of the list got one they consider exemplary and can send to me by email, or for which they can supply an url? Thanks. Regards, Tim Spofford Our service animal policy is at www.wisc.edu/policy/disability/ then choose ADA policies and scroll down to service animal. I am the primary author of this document (I've a multi-decade background in raising/training dogs), and also recieved input from a dean at our school of vet med and from the folks at the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (contact info for them is included in the policy). See also the attorneys general initiative on the US DOJ's ADA home page at www.usdoj.gov/crt.ada/adhom1.htm Marcia ********************************************************** Service Dog Policies (Thread 2) I would like some input regarding "helper dogs" for the paralyzed. If a quadriplegic student, who doesn't currently have one now, but goes through the training and receives one during the summer months and would like to bring the dog onto campus into the dorms (where pets are not allowed) is this an accommodation which the institution need extend? Would a "helper dog" for the paralyzed be looked upon by the OCR like that of a "seeing eye dog?" Is there a law that says that an institution must allow a student with disabilities to have a "helper dog" or a "seeing eye dog" if they so desire to have such an aid (even though the established rule is no pets in the dorms)? Thanks for any and all input! Perry Graves,DSS Coordinator (acting) Both the "seeing eye dogs" and the "helper dogs" you describe above would be considered service animals under the ADA, and the answer to your question is YES... the ADA requires that institutions make appropriate modifications to policy/practice to allow the presence and use of service animals. Note that the "no pets" rule in the dorm is really not an issue since a service animal is NOT a pet. For more information about classifications, rules, and regulations regarding service animals, check out the web page for the Delta Society at http://www.deltasociety.org. Janie Jarrow Another good website to check out is the Int'l Assoc. of Assistance Dog Partners at www.iaadp.org . I also like the FAQ Sheet for Businesses which, among other places, can be found at www.guidedogs.com and click on I believe Etiquette or Access laws. This is a great 2 page sheeet that lays out common questions about access rights and responsibilities for these dogs and their partners. Not only do federal laws (ADA namely) give these dogs access rights, but most states have them, too. The state laws were originally written for guide dogs, but most states have updated the terminology to the more encompassing "service dog" or "service animal" terminology. You can look up your state's laws at www.seeingeye.org and probably some of the other sites already listed. I have a student who returned last fall with a new service dog and I helped him do some education on campus. Our Res Life Office, while fully welcoming of the dog, asked me for a memo, (since we don't havea formal policy yet), that assured them and their resident assistants the the care of the dog was completely up to the student. In addition, I menioned that, while this dog was new and we'd want to help the student work through any behavior issues that might come up, ther was a point at which we had the right to ask the student not to bring the dog into the residence hall. For example, if the dog developed a serious barking problem that could not be squelched, the comfort of rights of other students to a relatively quite dorm might prevail. Additionally, I suggested that the resident assistants set a good example to others by completely ignored the working dog, especially in the first few months he was on campus. I explained that as a new dog/human team, an interference with the dog could seriously jeopardize the developing relationship and concentration of the dog. The only issue we've really been dealing with is the clean up of doggie waster. That has been the only somewhat negative feedback from our campus. (other concerns have been more for the safety of say, the dog's tail as doors almost close on it!) I'm still working with our grounds crew and the student on the dog waste one. Essentially, it is the student's responsibility to have the dog's potty area cleaned up. If the student is unable to do it him/herself, the s/he needs to assign that duty to a personal assistant or even hire a doggie clean up person/service (yes they exist). Considerign that the aide is not always directly in tow, we've talked to the student about finding an out of the way location where the messes won't be in major traffic/sight-line areas and were the mess can sit for a while until the aide can get to it. But, accidents do happen and dogs are not as predictable as you'd hope, so a little understanding from the ground's crew is helpful! Robin Smithtro, Director of Disability Services The US Dept of Justice home page has the US Attorneys General initiative FAQ on service dogs (possibly the same one as listed above, but prints out as 4 pages for me). This home page is at http://usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm Marcia First, your terminology will limit your ability to find resources. The ADA refers to assistance animals; service animals or service dogs are other frequently used terms. Yes, you would have to allow a qualified assistance dog into the dorms. Yes, the dog is analogous to a seeing eye dog. You can find our service animal policy at www.wisc.edu/ under policies, the disability, the ADA. A lengthy list of resources on service animals is included. Marcia ********************************************************** NOTE: Thread 2 began April 16, 1998 (These threads were culled from the archives by Catalina Colacci, Yukon College, ccolaci@YukonCollege.YK.CA) ********************************************************** |
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