Service Animals

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as a dog that is individually trained to perform work or tasks for a person with a disability. The work or tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the person’s disability.

Questions University Staff May Ask

When it is not apparent that an animal is a service animal, University staff may ask only the following two questions:

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

Notifying the University

Service animals are not required to be registered with the Specialized Resource Center (SRC). However, students are strongly encouraged to notify the SRC before bringing a service animal to campus. Advance notice can help the University provide appropriate support and address any logistical considerations.

Students who will bring a service animal into a laboratory should also meet with their faculty member to discuss laboratory procedures, safety requirements and other relevant considerations.

Students and employees may contact Public Safety or the SRC with questions or concerns about the presence of a service animal, service animal behavior or the mistreatment of a service animal.

Restricted Areas

The University may restrict service animals from certain locations when their presence would create a health or safety concern, place the animal in danger or compromise the integrity of research or other University activities.

Restricted locations may include:

  • Custodial closets and boiler rooms.
  • Facilities and equipment rooms.
  • Research laboratories.
  • Classrooms containing research or demonstration animals.
  • Areas where protective clothing or specialized safety equipment is required.
  • Wood and metal shops.
  • Motor pools.
  • Rooms containing heavy machinery.
  • Areas where animals are restricted under state or local law.

Responsibilities of the Handler

  • A service animal must be harnessed, leashed or tethered unless those devices interfere with the animal’s work or the handler’s disability prevents their use.
  • When a harness, leash or tether cannot be used, the handler must maintain control of the animal through voice commands, signals or other effective means.
  • The handler is responsible for the animal’s food, healthcare, bathing, grooming and other personal care needs.
  • The service animal must comply with applicable licensing requirements and have current vaccinations.
  • The handler is responsible for removing, or arranging for the removal of, animal waste.
  • The handler is responsible for communicating appropriate interaction guidelines and expectations to members of the University community when necessary.

Service Dogs in Training

The ADA protects access for people with disabilities who are accompanied by fully trained service animals. The ADA does not provide the same protections for service animals that are still in training.

Under New York State law, a service dog being trained by a formal training program or certified trainer may have certain access rights. For the purposes of this policy, a formal training program or certified trainer is an institution, organization or individual with documentation and community recognition as a provider or trainer of service animals.

Manhattan University follows practices informed by Assistance Dogs International when determining whether a dog qualifies as a service dog in training.

A service dog in training is an adult dog that:

  • Is accompanied by a certified trainer.
  • Is receiving individualized training to perform specific disability-related work or tasks.
  • Has completed an earlier period of socialization and basic obedience training.
  • Is house-trained and acclimated to public settings and everyday activities.

General obedience training, puppy socialization or early preparation for a dog that may later become a service animal does not qualify as service-animal training under this policy.

Campus Access for Service Dogs in Training

Service dogs in training may be present on campus only when accompanied by a certified trainer and only in locations where access is permitted under applicable law and University policy.

Service dogs in training may not reside in University housing or attend classes and other restricted campus activities unless otherwise authorized. They may be present in areas open to the public when accompanied by a certified trainer.

Registration Requirement

Individuals training a dog to assist a person with a disability must register the dog with the Specialized Resource Center and comply with all requirements established by this policy.