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Southeast Community College Area (SCC)

 
PRESENCE AND USE OF ANIMALS at SCC Facilities and Events
Administrative Guidelines – Executive Summary
Effective – September 1, 2000

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. Animals associated with a college-related program of study (e.g., livestock) or research laboratory activity (e.g., mice) are not covered by these guidelines.

Definitions

  • Service Animal - A bona fide service animal is any animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.
  • Therapy Animal - A therapy animal does not assist an individual with a disability in the activities of daily living and generally does not accompany a person with a disability all the time.
  • Pet - A domesticated animal (e.g., dog, cat, ferret, snake, bird, etc.) kept for pleasure or companionship.
  • 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).
  • Pets and Therapy Animals at SCC Locations and Events

Pets and Therapy Animals are generally not permitted in College facilities or at SCC events. NOTE: Requests for exceptions to this general rule must be submitted to the responsible administrator prior to the event/activity, and will be reviewed/decided on a case-by-case basis.

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 clean up after the animal, including voided waste.

When an Animal Can Be Removed

Service/assistance animals, therapy animals, and pets may be removed or restricted at a SCC location or event for reasons of 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.

NOTE: Requests for exceptions to this restriction must be submitted to the responsible administrator and will be reviewed/decided on a case-by-case basis.

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