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1. Purpose
It is the policy of the University to afford individuals with disabilities the use of service animals necessary to facilitate their full participation and equal access to the University’s programs, services, and activities.
This policy complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-11) and 45 CFR Part 84; Fair Housing Act of 1968, 42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.; Chapter 49.60 RCW; and Chapter 478-128 WAC.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all University locations including UW Bothell, UW Seattle, and UW Tacoma, all other University owned property, University leased space, temporary field locations, and field sites that are under the control of University operations and staff.
3. Definitions
Emotional Support Animal—An emotional support animal is an animal that may provide emotional support or passive comfort that alleviates one or more of the identified symptoms or effects of a disability. Emotional support animals do not perform active work or specific disability related tasks that would qualify them as service animals under federal regulations or this policy.
Handler—A person with a disability that a service animal or emotional support animal assists, a personal care attendant who handles the animal for the person with a disability, or a person training a service animal.
Service Animal—A service animal means any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychological, intellectual, or other disabilities. The work or tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks. Service animals are not pets or working animals. Chapter 478-128 WAC addresses pets and working animals.
Service Animal in Training—A service animal in training means any dog or miniature horse undergoing training to become a service animal.
University Personnel—For the purpose of this policy, this means a University employee in a position of authority. This may include but is not limited to public safety officials, building managers, event management staff, University housing staff, and teaching faculty.
4. Assessing Service Animal Status
A. Permitted Inquiries
University personnel must permit service animal access with the handler when it is readily apparent that the animal is trained to do work or perform tasks for the handler. Examples include a dog guiding an individual who is blind or has low vision, pulling an individual’s wheelchair, or providing assistance with stability or balance to an individual with an observable mobility disability.
If the need for the service animal is not apparent, University personnel may ask only the following of service animal handlers:
- Whether the service animal is required because of a disability; and
- What work or task the animal has been trained to perform.
If the handler states the animal is required because of a disability and that the animal has been trained to do work or a task for the handler, then the service animal must be admitted. If there is doubt that an animal is a service animal, University personnel should admit the animal and then consult with the ADA Coordinator regarding future access.
Service animal handlers must not be asked about the nature of the disability or for medical documentation of it, except as noted in Section 9 and Section 11. Handlers may not be asked for a special registration, identification card, license, or other documentation that the animal is a service animal, or to demonstrate the animal’s ability to perform work or tasks.
B. University Assistance
Service animal handlers are not required to register service animals with the University, except as noted in Section 9 and Section 11.
Service animal handlers who regularly access University buildings are encouraged to contact the designated disability services office (see Section 15). The disability services office can then assist the handler by providing advance notice to University personnel that the handler and service animal are entitled to access.
5. Where Service Animals Are Allowed
Generally, service animals are permitted in all areas of the University’s facilities and programs where the handlers are allowed to go. Such areas include but are not limited to public areas, public events, and other areas where University programs or activities are held. Limited exceptions for service animal access are noted in Section 8 below. Employees with service animals should follow the process outlined in Section 11.
Any individual bringing a service animal on University property is responsible for complying with this policy and Chapter 478-128 WAC.
6. Where Service Animals In Training Are Allowed
Service animals in training are permitted in any place that is open to the public or to business invitees, but not University housing. In non-public spaces, the University personnel with authority over the building area (per APS 13.4) has the discretion whether to permit access to service animals in training. Any individual bringing a service animal in training on University property is responsible for complying with this policy and Chapter 478-128 WAC.
Any individual bringing a service animal in training on University property is responsible for complying with this policy and Chapter 478-128 WAC.
7. Emotional Support Animals
Access for emotional support animals is evaluated as a request for accommodation and should be directed to the designated disability services office.
Any individual approved to bring an emotional support animal on University property is responsible for complying with this policy and Chapter 478-128 WAC.
8. Restrictions on Access
A service animal or service animal in training may be restricted from specific areas of the University when consistent with other University policies, state, and/or federal laws/regulations. Examples of these areas may include:
- Food preparation areas;
- Animal research facilities and grounds;
- Medically sensitive patient and clinic areas; and
- Biologically sensitive or hazardous research sites.
If a service animal or service animal in training is restricted from certain areas, the designated disability services offices are available to assist in evaluating reasonable accommodations for the handler.
9. University Housing
Requests to have service animals or emotional support animals while living in University housing must be made through the appropriate designated disability services office. Advance notice will allow more flexibility in meeting specific requests for housing.
10. University Food Establishments
Service animals and service animals in training are permitted in University food establishments, defined as all University restaurants and stores that serve the general public. University residential housing kitchens and food preparation areas located in common use areas for residents are not University food establishments but are part of University housing and are covered in Section 8 and Section 9.
11. Employees with Service Animals or Emotional Support Animals
APS 46.5, “Reasonable Accommodation of Employees with Disabilities,” is the policy for how University employees can make a workplace accommodation request regarding a service animal or emotional support animal.
12. Handlers’ Responsibilities
Handlers are responsible for complying with Chapter 478-128 WAC, Animal Control at the University, including:
- Keeping the service animal under the handler’s direct control at all times, such as by harness, leash, or other tether; however, if the use of a harness, a leash, or other tether interferes with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks, or if the handler’s disability prevents the use of such devices, then the service animal must be under the handler’s control through voice control, signals, or other effective means;
- Ensuring the service animal does not disturb or disrupt the learning, living, and working environments;
- Immediately cleaning up after the service animal and properly disposing of the service animal’s waste or other debris;
- Preventing the service animal from entering any pond, fountain, or stream located on University premises;
- Complying with any relevant city, county, and state ordinances, laws, and regulations pertaining to licensing, leash, vaccinations, and other requirements for animals while the service animal is on University premises;
- The handler is responsible for damage or injury caused by the service animal; and
- The cost of care, arrangements, and well-being of the animal.
13. Removal of Animals from University Facilities
University personnel may order a handler to remove the handler’s animal from University premises for the following reasons:
- Abandoned Animal. The University may remove an animal that is left anywhere on University property without a handler present, unless a local emergency contact is imminently responding pursuant to an emergency response and care plan.
- Direct Threat. If directed by University personnel, a handler must remove an animal that the University determines to be a substantial and direct threat to the health and safety of others. This may occur as a result of an ill animal, an animal acting in an aggressive or threatening manner, or the presence of an animal in a sensitive area like a medical facility, certain laboratories, or mechanical or industrial areas.
- Not Housebroken Animal. If directed by University personnel, a handler must remove an animal that is not housebroken or trained to urinate and defecate outside of the facility or only in an appropriate place. The handler will be held responsible for cleaning up wherever an animal waste accident happens.
- Out of Control Animal. If directed by University personnel, a handler must remove an animal that is out of control and the handler has not taken immediate effective action to control it.
- Unhygienic Animal. A substantial lack of cleanliness of an animal to the point of disrupting the environment may result in the University directing a handler to remove the animal.
If required to remove the animal, the handler must be offered the opportunity to return to the University premises or the immediate area without the animal and be provided with reasonable assistance at that time to participate in the University service or program.
An animal may be excluded only for an individual event based on its or the handler’s behavior at that event. The animal or its handler cannot be excluded from future events based on a problem at a past event, except as noted in Violations of Policy. Handlers with concerns about the removal of their animals should contact the ADA Coordinator.
14. Violations of Policy
Depending on the seriousness of the animal’s conduct or repeated conduct, animals may be excluded from University property temporarily or permanently. The ADA Coordinator is responsible for conducting the necessary assessments regarding ongoing or permanent removal of an animal. If an animal is excluded, the designated disability services offices are available to assist in evaluating reasonable accommodations for the handler.
Handlers who violate this policy or disregard an instruction to remove or exclude a service animal from University property may be subject to additional penalties, including banning from any University property or other fines or penalties under applicable city, county, or state rules, regulations, or laws. Violations of this policy by a handler who is a University student or employee may be referred for corrective or disciplinary action.
15. Designated Disability Services Offices
Disability Services Office (For members of the public, all University employees, and nonmatriculated students enrolled at UW Seattle.)
Disability Resources for Students—UW Seattle (For matriculated students enrolled at UW Seattle and for students in University housing.)
Disability Resources for Students—UW Bothell (For all students enrolled at UW Bothell.)
Disability Support Services for Students—UW Tacoma (For all students enrolled at UW Tacoma.)
16. University ADA Coordinator
The University’s ADA Coordinator is available to review individual concerns relating to compliance and to provide compliance support for programs, departments, campuses, schools, and colleges relating to discrimination based on disability and providing access and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.
17. Complaint Resolution Resources
Individuals who wish to make a complaint that a University employee may have violated the University’s nondiscrimination and/or non-retaliation policies, including a failure to permit access to a service animal under this policy, may contact:
Civil Rights Investigation Office
Individuals who wish to file allegations of discrimination also may contact the following:
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
Washington State Human Rights Commission
18. History
October 2, 2015; RC, November 12, 2015; January 28, 2019; October 1, 2024.
For related information, see:
- Chapter 478-128 WAC, “Animal Control at the University of Washington”