Service Animals

Service Animals at SCC

Presence and Use of Animals at Southeast Community College at Facilities and Events

Administrative Guidelines - Executive Summary
Effective - September 1, 2000; Revised September 1, 2010

General Guideline
Bona fide service animals may accompany students, employees, and visitors with disabilities to all SCC events, activities, and locations. Local, state and federal laws regulate the use of service animals at SCC locations and/or events. Other animals (e.g., therapy animals, pets, strays, and mascots) are generally not permitted at SCC locations and/or events.

Definitions

  • Service Animal - Any dog that is 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. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition.
  • Therapy Animal - An animal with good temperament and disposition, and who has reliable, predictable behavior, selected to visit people with disabilities or people who are experiencing the frailties of aging as a therapy tool. Laws protecting and giving rights to service animals do not cover a therapy animal.
  • Pet - A domesticated animal (e.g., dog, cat, ferret, snake, bird, etc.) kept for pleasure or companionship. Laws protecting and giving rights to service animals do not cover a pet.
  • Partner/handler - A person with a service or therapy animal, or pet.
  • Responsible Administrator - Campus Administrator (for on-campus events), or Dean of Continuing Education (for off-campus classes/activities).

Requirements for all Animals and/or their Partners/Handlers

  • Vaccination: The animal must be immunized against diseases common to that type of animal. Other animals must have had the appropriate vaccination series for the type of animal.
  • Health: The animal must be in good health.
  • Under Control of Partner/Handler: The partner/handler must be in full control of the animal at all times.
  • Cleanup Rule:The partner/handler must cleanup after the animal, including voided waste.

When an Animal Can Be Removed
Service/assistance animals, therapy animals, and pets duly authorized to be present may be removed or restricted at a SCC location or event for reasons such as disruption, health, uncleanness, and safety. For example, a partner/handler will be asked to remove the animal from the College facility or event if the animal is ill and/or when that animal's behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of other persons and/or animals.

Areas Off-Limits to Animals
For safety and other reasons, all animals are restricted from certain areas, including laboratories, maintenance rooms/custodial closets, and areas where protective clothing is required.

Liability
The partner/handler of an animal present at any SCC location or event is personally responsible and strictly liable for any damage to property and/or harm to others caused by the animal while at a SCC facility or sponsored event.

Download the Administrative Guidelines regarding Service Animals.