In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are permitted on the college campus and in its facilities. 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, providing minimal rescue or protection work, pulling a wheelchair, fetching dropped items or providing assistance with balance and stability. To be permitted on campus, a service animal must be specifically trained to perform a service function.
The 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.
Individuals will not be asked about the nature or extent of a disability; however, when it is not readily apparent what task the service animal is providing for the individual, the individual may be asked two questions to determine if the animal qualifies as a service animal: (1) If the animal is required because of a disability; and (2) What work or task the animal has been trained to perform to include trained-service demonstration.
Removal of the Service Animal
The college may temporarily remove or permanently exclude the service animal if:
- The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others;
- The animal’s presence results in a fundamental alteration of the College’s programming;
- The animal or its presence creates an unreasonable disturbance in or interference with the College community; or
- The Owner does not comply with this policy.
In the event restriction or exclusion of a service animal is determined to be necessary, the College will take other actions to ensure that the individual with disabilities will still be offered the opportunity to participate in services, programs and activities provided by CACC.
Conflicting Disabilities
Individuals with medical issues that may be impacted by the presence of service animals should communicate with Human Resources if they have a concern about exposure to a service animal. The individual will be asked to provide documentation that identifies a disability and the need for an accommodation. Human Resources will facilitate a process in collaboration with the ADA Coordinator to resolve the conflict that considers the disability related needs/accommodations of all persons involved. Questions not covered in this policy should be directed to Human Resources.