Service Animals Policy and Procedure

This policy and procedure addresses the use of service animals by individuals with disabilities on the grounds of the Lehigh Carbon Community College and presents a standard of behavior for both animal and student, faculty and staff who are in proximity to the animals. It is the intention of LCCC to meet the needs of the entire LCCC community in an atmosphere characterized by inclusion, open communication, and personal concern.

Policy Statement

Lehigh Carbon Community College is committed to accommodating individuals with disabilities who use a service animal while on campus.

Definition

According to ADA, service animals are defined as dogs and/or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a service animal has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs and miniature horses whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

Procedure

1. Documentation Requirements – If requested, the owner of a service animal must show proof that the animal has met the following regulations:
   1. Licensing: As appropriate, the animal must meet licensing requirements and wear license tags.
   2. Health records: As appropriate, the animal must have a health statement, including vaccinations from a licensed veterinarian, dated within the past year. Preventative measures must be taken for flea and odor control.
2. Notification Requirement/Check-in – The owner must notify LCCC Security of the presence of a service animal on campus. For academic classroom activities, Disability Support Services is the appropriate office (610-799-1154). If it is unclear whether or not the animal is a service animal rather than a pet, the owner may be asked about the services provided by the animal.
3. Behavior of Service Animals – Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless:
   1. the animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or the animal is not housebroken. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal’s presence.
   2. Relief Areas – Relief areas on the campus include the nearest grassy areas outdoors. The owner is responsible for cleaning up after the animal defecates and for disposing of the feces. Persons with disabilities who physically cannot clean up after their own service animal will not be required to do so. However, these individuals are to notify the security or physical plant personnel if the animal relieves itself.
   3. Emergency Situations – In the case of an emergency, security should inform emergency and public safety personnel that there is a service animal on the premises. Every effort should be made to keep the animal with its owner. It may be necessary to leave the animal behind in certain disaster situations.
   4. Conflicting Disabilities – Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access or refusing service to people using service animals. Should individuals with conflicting disabilities take the same class, DSS should be notified so that staff can make necessary arrangements to resolve the conflict.