Policy 655 - Service Animals

A disability is a physical or mental condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or is the presence of a sensory, mental, or physical impairment that is medically cognizable or diagnosable; or exists as a record or history; or is perceived to exist whether or not it exists in fact.

A Service Animal means any animal 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. Except as provided below (Section 7) Washington State Law does not restrict the type of animal that can serve as a service animal, as long as the animal is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The work or tasks performed must be directly related to the handler's disability. Tasks performed can include, among other things, pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped items, alerting a person to sound, reminding a person to take medication, or pressing an elevator button. The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, wellbeing, comfort or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.

A Service Animal in Training is an animal that is being trained for the purpose of assisting or accommodating an individual with a disability. Service animals in training may be permitted, but are not entitled to, the same access as service animals under the ADA and should be directed to Disability and Access Services where access will be evaluated similar to any other request for accommodation.

An Emotional Support Animal is an animal that can provide therapeutic benefit to those suffering with psychiatric conditions but are not trained to perform a specific job or task to assist or accommodate an individual with a disability. An emotional support animal is not considered a service animal under the ADA and should be directed to Disability and Access Services where access will be evaluated similar to any other request for accommodation.

A pet is an animal kept for ordinary use and companionship. A pet is not considered a service animal and is not covered by this policy or allowed on college premises.

Handler means a qualified individual with a disability that a service animal assists with work or tasks for the benefit of the person with the disability.

If the disability which requires the use of a service animal is not readily apparent, LCC staff is permitted to ask the following:

• Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability, and
• What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

LCC staff will not require documentation or demonstration to prove that the service animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal.

LCC staff will not ask about the nature of the handler's disability or for medical documentation of their disability.

If the handler states that the animal is required because of a disability and that the animal has been trained to do work or task for the handler, then the service animal must be admitted.

See Section 655.6 below for areas where a service animal may be excluded.

If there is any doubt that an animal is a service animal, college personnel, should admit the animal then consult with Disability and Access Services regarding future access.

While not required for service animals, students who would like to register as a student with a disability or request reasonable accommodation should contact Disability and Access Services.

DAS can assist the student by providing advance notice to college personnel, such as faculty, advisors, campus services, and security.

Disability and Access Services

• Physical Address: Admission Building 143
• Mailing Address: 1600 Maple St.
• Longview, WA 98632
• lowercolumbia.edu/disability
• (360) 442-2340

While not required for service animals, employees may request disability accommodations through Human Resource Services.

Human Resources

• Physical Address: Administrative Building, first floor
• Mailing Address: 1600 Maple St.
• Longview, WA 98632
• hr@lowercolumbia.edu
• (360) 442-2120

Visitors (excluding student, faculty, staff and employees) to the college who require the use of a service animal are not required to provide advance notice to anyone on campus prior to their visit.

The care and supervision of a service animal is the responsibility of the handler. The handler must maintain control of the animal at all times. The ADA also provides that 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 handler must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

The service animal must be housebroken and the handler is responsible for ensuring the clean-up of all animal waste in a safe and sanitary manner. If the handler is unable to collect and dispose the waste, the handler must contact Disability and Access Services to make arrangements for necessary assistance.

The service animal must comply with local, county, and/or state vaccination and licensing requirements. It is recommended the animal have an ID tag.

Ensuring the service animal does not disturb or disrupt normal academic or administrative functions.

The handler is responsible for any damage or injury caused by the service animal.

A handler may be directed to remove an animal that is out of control or disruptive, if the handler is given the opportunity to get the animal under control and the disruption continues.

A handler may be directed to move an animal that is not housebroken, is not vaccinated as required by local ordinances, or if the handler fails to collect and properly dispose of the animal's waste.

The College retains the right to immediately remove or suspend the service animal from the grounds and/or facilities if it is a direct threat to the health and safety of others, or if the animal causes substantial damage to college property.

If a service animal is excluded or removed from college premises, LCC will work with the handler to determine reasonable alternative opportunities to participate in the service, program or activity without having the service animal on the premises.

Any student, applicant, employee, or visitor who believes they have been the subject of discrimination based on disability protected class status may file a grievance with the Title IX/EEO coordinator according to LCC's Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Procedure.

If a student believes that Disability and Access Services has not provided appropriate academic accommodations, the student has the right to file an appeal with the 504/ADA coordinator through the Academic Adjustment and Auxiliary Aids Appeal Procedure.

Discrimination complaints may also be filed with the following federal and state agencies:

1. Washington State Human Rights Commission
2. US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
3. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission