Service Animals: Any dog or other animal trained to assist people with disabilities in the activities of daily living. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service animals as "...... any…animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals who are hearing impaired to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair or fetching dropped items."

If an animal meets this definition, it is considered a service animal regardless of whether it has been licensed or certified by a state or local government or an animal training program.

Handler: The individual person with a disability requiring assistance with one or more daily living activities from a service animal

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Privately owned businesses and other accommodations that serve the public, such as restaurants, hotels, government offices, retail stores, taxicabs, theaters, concert halls, and sports facilities, are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires these businesses to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed. (http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/animal.htm)

Illinois' Guide Dog Access Act and White Cane Law: A person who has a visual impairment, hearing impairment or physical disability and is accompanied by a service dog is guaranteed the right of entry and use of all public accommodations, including modes of transportation. (http://www.ag.state.il.us/rights/servanimals.html)

I. Long-Term versus Short-Term Use

Students visiting the University for 1-2 days may use a service animal on campus without formally registering the animal with the Office of Disability Services. Handlers/owners are expected to comply with standards of cleanliness and control of service animals as specified under Conditions for Keeping a Service Animal, (Section III Below).

Students requiring to use a service animal on campus should first contact ODS to register as a student with a disability. The Assistant Director of ODS will evaluate the documentation of disability and discuss with the individual any appropriate accommodations, including the assistance of a service animal.

Faculty or staff wishing to use a service animal on campus should contact the Human Resources Office. The Director of Human Resources will evaluate the disability and make appropriate recommendations.

II. Registration of Service Animals

A. Student Handlers

Complete the SERVICE ANIMAL REGISTRATION FORM and submit it to the Office of Disability Services.
Submit proof of current vaccinations and annual clean bill of health from licensed veterinarian.
Submit certifying agency information if animal came from one.
Sign an authorization form allowing ODS to notify appropriate campus personnel/offices of the presence of the animal and any special circumstances relevant to service animal usage.
Additional information may be needed by those living in campus housing (Section V below).

B. Visitors

Visitors of Eastern Illinois University (those on campus for less than 7 days at a time) are free to use service animals without registering the animal with the Office of Disability Services. Handlers are expected to comply with the standards of cleanliness and control of animals as specified under Conditions of Keeping Service Animals (Section IV below).

III. Responsibilities/Requirements

A. Student Handlers:

Complete the registration of the service animal with the Office of Disability Service (Section II.A above).
Care for and supervise the service animal at all times. Eastern Illinois University is not responsible for the costs of necessary care of the service animal’s well-being.
Identify suitable areas where the service animal can relieve him/herself or use only those areas designated by university offices (e.g. Housing and Dining Services). Handlers should (a) always carry equipment and bags sufficient to clean up the animal's waste, and (b) properly dispose of it. Persons who are not physically able to pick up and dispose of animal waste are responsible for making all necessary arrangements for assistance. The university is not responsible for these services.
Indicate the service animal’s work status by having the animal wear identification at all times (e.g. harness, cape, ID tag).
Have the service animal on a leash or harness at all times.
Follow the Conditions for Keeping a Service Animal (Section IV below).

B. University Community (Faculty, Staff, and Students):

Allow service animals to accompany their handler at all times and everywhere on campus, except where animals are specifically prohibited due to health or safety restrictions, where animals may be in danger, or where the integrity of research may be compromised due to the presence of chemicals and/or organisms. (Section IV.A below)
Do not touch or feed service animals unless given permission by the handler.
Do not startle service animals or attempt to separate them from their handler.

C. Office of Disability Services

Collect the service animal registration information from students when they register with ODS.
Collect and keep on file evidence of current health certificates.
Notify the appropriate university offices/personnel of the potential presence of the service animal and handler.
Assist the University community when questions or concerns arise relating to service animals on campus. Seek legal advice when necessary.

IV. Conditions for Keeping a Service Animal

A. Prohibited Areas

Service animals are prohibited from kitchens and food-preparation areas except those in apartments and other residence facilities. This does not include dining rooms.
Service animals are prohibited from utility rooms and other hazardous service areas (e.g. wood/machine/electrical shops).
Service animals may be prohibited from laboratories in which the animal’s presence could compromise the research environment.
Exceptions to prohibited areas may be granted on a case-by-case basis by contacting the Office of Disability Services and the appropriate department and/or laboratory representative. The person directing the work in the restricted area will make the final decision based on the nature of the work in progress and the best interest of the service animal.

B. Disruptive Behavior

Handlers whose service animal displays disruptive behavior (e.g. barking, running around unleashed, acting aggressively and/or other disruptive behavior) may be asked to remove the animal from university facilities.

C. Health and Cleanliness

Animals that are ill are not permitted in public areas on campus. A person with an ill animal may be asked to leave university facilities or remove the animal from campus.
Regular bathing and grooming of service animals is required to avoid significant odors and shedding. Students living in university housing should discuss options for bathing/grooming animals with the housing management staff. Animals are never to be bathed or groomed in community or public bathrooms or showers. A handler with an unclean service animal may be asked to remove the animal from university facilities.

Michigan State University Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, The University of Illinois, and Southern Illinois University, Carbondale contributed to this policy.

Office of Disability Services

Service Animal Registration Form

Owner’s Name
Owner’s Permanent Address
Owner’s Home Phone
Owner’s Campus Address
Owner’s Campus Phone
Owner’s Cell
Animal’s Name
Type of Animal
Description of the Animal
*Alternate Caregiver for Animal if Owner is Unavailable*
Name
Address
Phone Number

***Please attach the Veterinarian’s Verification that the animal has all Veterinary recommended vaccinations to maintain the animal’s health and prevent contagious disease.