Disabilities: Service Animals

Type

Procedure

Category

Students

Department

Center for Accessible Resources

Phone

(541) 463-5150

Primary Contact

Mandie Pritchard

Contact Email

Responsible Executive Authority

Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide the college community with guidelines for the use of Service Animals

Narrative

Lane Community College has established procedures regarding the use of Service Animals by students and community members with disabilities. Those wishing to use a Service Animal in order to access college services or participate in activities outside of the classroom on any LCC campus or center are permitted to do so only in accordance with the following procedures. Animals other than Service Animals are not allowed inside any LCC building.

Campus Contacts

Associate Dean for Accessibility and Support:
Mandie Pritchard, Building 19, Room 263A (Center for Accessible Resources).
541-463-5150, 541-463-4739 FAX, TTY: 711, pritchardm@lanecc.edu

ADA/Section 504 Compliance Officer for Employees and Community Members:
Shane Turner, Building 3, 1st Floor (Human Resources).
541-463-5115, 541-463-3970 FAX, TTY: 711, turnerms@lanecc.edu

ADA/Section 504 Compliance Officer for Students:
Jane Reeder, Building 19, 2nd Floor
541-463-3133, TTY: 711, reederj@lanecc.edu

HR Benefits/Employee Labor Relations Manager (employee accommodations):
Sharon Daniel, Building 3, 1st Floor (Human Resources).
541-463-5091, 541-463-3970 FAX, TTY: 711 daniels@lanecc.edu

Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs:
Grant Matthews, Building 3, 2nd Floor (Academic and Student Affairs).
541-463-5037, TTY: 711, matthewsg@lanecc.edu

Procedures for Use of Service Dogs (or Working Dogs)

A. Where service dogs are permitted.

The College allows service dogs in its buildings, classrooms, meetings, dining areas, recreational facilities, activities and events when the dog is accompanied by an individual with a disability who indicates the service dog is trained or is currently being trained to provide, and does provide, a specific service to them that is directly related to their disability.

A service dog must be removed if it poses a substantial and/or direct threat to health or safety of others, or when the presence of the dog constitutes a fundamental alteration to the nature of the program or service.

B. Staff Inquiries Regarding Service Dogs

College staff inquiries to determine whether a dog qualifies as a service dog must be limited to:

  1. Whether or not the dog is required because of a disability; and
  2. What work or task the dog is trained to perform.

No documentation, such as proof that the dog has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service dog, is required. College staff may not make inquiries about a service dog when it is readily apparent that a dog is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability (e.g., the dog is observed guiding an individual who is blind or has low vision, pulling a person's wheelchair, or providing assistance with stability or balance to an individual with an observable mobility disability).

Campus visitors with specific questions related to the use of service dogs on campus should contact the Center for Accessible Resources, Building 19, Room 263A, by email: AccessibleResources@lanecc.edu or by calling 541-463-5150.

C. Responsibilities of Partners/Handlers

Partners/Handlers who wish to bring a service dog to campus are strongly encouraged to partner with the Center for Accessible Resources, especially if other academic accommodations are required.

It is recommended that Service Dogs wear a vest or patch or special harness identifying them as Service Dogs to put others on notice that the dog is a service animal.

Partners/Handlers are responsible for any damage or injuries caused by their dogs and must take appropriate precautions to prevent property damage or personal injury. The cost of care, arrangements and responsibilities for the well-being of a service dog are the sole responsibility of the partner/handler at all times.

D. Service Dog Control Requirements:

Oregon Laws Chapter 530: Section 3) Subsection (4):

“A person with a disability or an assistance animal trainer must maintain control of an assistance animal or assistance animal trainee. Except as provided in this subsection, control shall be exerted by means of a harness, leash or other tether. If the use of a harness, leash or other tether would interfere with the ability of the animal to do the work or perform the tasks for which the animal is trained or is being trained, control may be exerted by the effective use of voice commands, signals or other means. If an animal is not under control as required in this subsection, a place of public accommodation or of access to state government services, programs or activities may consider the animal to be out of control for purposes of subsection (5) of this section.”

In addition:

  1. The dog must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others
  2. The dog should respond to voice or hand commands at all times, and the Partners/Handler should be in full control of the dog at all times.
  3. The dog should be unobtrusive to other individuals and the learning or working environment.
  4. The dog must be clean and in good health.
  5. The dog must behave appropriately (i.e. no sniffing other people without the partner/handler’s permission, no displaying aggressive or disruptive behavior such as barking, whining, growling, excessive scratching, etc).
  6. The dog should not block the access of aisles or doorways for other individuals.
  7. The dog should meet licensing requirements for the state, and any local jurisdictions.

E. Service Dog Restrictions:

Restrictions related to safety may include the following learning environments: nursing and health sciences program practicum sites, food preparation areas, rooms with heavy machinery, areas where protective clothing is required, or areas that can pose a safety risk to the dog. Cases will be considered individually to determine if the dog poses a possible danger or could be in danger at a certain location, and whether other reasonable accommodations could be provided to assure equal access to the activity.

F. Removal of Service Dog:

Staff must direct partners/handlers to remove a Service Dog under the following conditions:

  1. Out of Control Dog: The service dog is out of control and the partner/handler does not take effective action to control it;
  2. Non-housebroken Dog: The service dog is not housebroken;
  3. Direct Threat: The service dog presents a substantial and direct threat to the health and/or safety of the Partner/Handler or others. This may occur as a result of an ill dog, a substantial lack of cleanliness of the dog, or the presence of a dog in sensitive area like a medical facility, certain laboratories or mechanical or industrial areas.

Where a service dog is properly removed pursuant to this procedure, the Center for Accessible Resources will work with the partner/handler to determine reasonable alternative opportunities to participate in the service, program, or activity without having the service dog on the premises.

G. Conflicting Disabilities:

In the event of a disability conflict, such as dog allergy of another student, if the situation cannot be resolved in class (such as seating as far apart as possible in the classroom), please contact the Center for Accessible Resources for assistance.

H. Service Dogs in Training:

At a minimum, a trainer should:

  • Know pertinent canine laws (i.e. leash laws and public access laws);
  • Ensure the dog is healthy, flea free and the rabies vaccination is up to date;
  • Take time to make sure your dog is well groomed and free of any foul odor;
  • Show respect and consideration to other people and property;
  • Use humane training methods; monitor the dog’s stress level; provide rest breaks;
  • Carry clean-up materials and take prompt action to clean up if a dog eliminates or gets sick;
  • Be polite and willing to educate the public about assistance dogs.

If you have any questions or concerns about an animal accommodation contact the Center for Accessible Resources by phone at 541-463-5150, fax 541-463-4739, or email AccessibleResources@lanecc.edu

Definitions

Partner/Handler

A person with a disability who uses a service dog to assist him or her with a disability or the disabled person’s attendant.

Service Animal

A dog* 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 (28 CFR 36.104). The work or tasks performed must be directly related to the individual’s disability.

(*See 28 CFR 35.136(i), for requirements that allow a miniature horse to qualify as a service animal.)

Examples include, but are not limited to: assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of a dog'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.

Place of Public Accommodation

“Public accommodation" means: a place or service offering to the public accommodations, advantages, facilities or privileges whether in the nature of goods, services, lodgings, amusements or otherwise.” (ORS 655A.400) A place of public accommodation does not include any institution, bona fide club or place of accommodation which is in its nature distinctly private.

Date Adopted

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Date Last Reviewed

Thursday, June 28, 2018