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Service Animals
Service Animals on Campus
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are permitted in college facilities. Service animals are animals trained to assist people with disabilities in the activities of daily living. The (ADA) definition of service animals is: “…any 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 who are hearing impaired to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items."
Definitions
Owner/Handler - a person with a service animal
Service Animal - any animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. Service animals are usually dogs; however, a few other animals have been presented as service animals.
Pet - a domestic animal kept for pleasure or companionship. Pets are not permitted in college facilities. Permission may be granted by an instructor, dean or other college administrator for a pet to be in a campus facility for a specific reason at a specific time.
Requirements of Service Animals and Their Owners/Handlers
Under Control of Owner/Handler
The owner/handler must be in full control of the animal at all times. The care and supervision of a service animal is solely the responsibility of its owner/handler.
Leash
The animal must be on a leash at all times.
Licensing and Tags
The City of Wenatchee Municipal Code [5.28.150] “All dogs and cats over 6 months of age…shall have current rabies vaccination”; [5.28.015] “Any owner of a dog or cat four months old or older must obtain valid license.”
Responsibilities for Faculty, Staff, and Students
1. Allow a service animal to accompany the owner/handler on campus except, where service animals are specifically prohibited. Students with service dogs should be allowed to sit where their dogs can be out of the traffic flow and where the dogs are not blocking exits.
2. Service dogs are expected to be on leashes at all times and are trained to assist their owner/handlers.
3. Such dogs are “working” dogs; it is appropriate to either ignore them or to ask the owner/handlers’ permission to pay attention to the dog.
4. Do not feed, pet or deliberately startle a service animal.
5. Do not separate or attempt to separate a handler from his or her animal.
When an Owner/Handler May Be Asked to Remove an Animal:
- Disruption: An owner/handler may be asked to remove an animal from college facilities that is unruly or disruptive. If the improper behavior occurs repeatedly, the owner/handler may be told not to bring the animal into any college facility until the owner/handler has taken significant steps to mitigate the behavior.
- Ill Health Service animals that are ill should not be taken into public areas. An owner/handler with an ill animal may be asked to leave college facilities.
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