Definition of a service animal
An animal, usually a guide dog, specifically trained to perform tasks for a person with disabilities. There are different types of service animals:
- Service dog - A dog trained to assist a person with a mobility or health injury. The dog usually performs tasks like: carrying, opening doors, ringing doorbells, pushing elevator buttons, supporting the person while walking, helping the person after a fall, etc.
- Guide dog - A dog trained to assist a blind or visually impaired person.
- Hearing dog - A dog trained to alert a deaf or hearing-impaired person of sounds, e.g., a knock at the door.
- Alert dog - A dog trained to assist a person suffering from seizures. The dog may stay with its owner during a seizure or call for help. Some dogs have been trained to anticipate seizures and alert their owners in advance of an impending seizure.
- Dog-in-training – A dog undergoing service animal training. A dog-in-training is treated the same as an official service animal.
General guidelines
- An employee or visitor is entitled to enter the Institute and any facilities with a service animal, excluding laboratories, rooms with machinery and other areas that may endanger the service animal.
- Institute representatives may request to see the service animal’s certification or other documentation.
- Do not pet the dog without permission from its owner.
Owner’s responsibility
- The dog must be vaccinated and licensed as required by law.
- The service dog must be accompanied by its owner.
- The owner must remain near the service dog.
- All service dogs must be leashed at all times.
- The service dog must be able to respond to voice commands at all times, and be under full control of its owner.
- To the extent possible, the service dog must not interfere with other students and the learning environment.