Definitions
- Service Animal: GGU adopts the definition of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which defines a service animal as “… any dog 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. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. However, 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.” (28 C.F.R. § 36.104)
- Approved Service Animal: An approved service animal is a service animal that has been approved as an accommodation for a specific student by Student Affairs, Law School after review of documentation submitted by the student.
- Emotional Support Animal: An animal that that provides emotional support, well-being, comfort or companionship but does not perform work or tasks for a person with a disability. (See number 1, above.) Emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under state or federal law.
Policy
Visitors to the University who have disabilities may be accompanied by their service animals in all areas of the University to which the general public is invited.
A student who wishes to request the use of a service animal in classes and elsewhere on campus as an accommodation for a disability is required to request and receive approval pursuant to the procedure for requesting disability accommodations described in the Disability Services section of this Handbook.
An approved service animal is allowed to accompany a student at all times and in all campus locations, except where service animals are prohibited due to health or safety restrictions or where they may be in danger. Exceptions to restricted areas may be granted on a case-by-case basis by contacting Student Affairs, Law School, which will make the final decision.
Because they are not service animals under state or federal law, emotional support animals do not qualify as and will not be approved as an accommodation.
Request for Approval of a Service Animal as an Accommodation
To request approval for a service animal as an accommodation, a student must follow the procedure for requesting all accommodations, as described in the “Disabilities Policy ” section of this Handbook. The student must also provide proof that the service animal is properly vaccinated and licensed, pursuant to local and state laws.
Responsibilities of Persons Who Bring Service Animals to the Golden Gate University Campus
- Care for and supervise the service animal. GGU is not responsible for the care or supervision of service animals. (28 C.F.R. § 36.302(c)(5))
- Maintain control of the animal. Service animals must have a harness, leash, or other tether, unless the handler is either unable because of a disability to use a harness, leash, or other tether, or the use of a harness, leash, or other tether would interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks. In such case, the service animal must be otherwise under the handler’s control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means). (28 C.F.R. § 36.302(c)(4))
- Ensure the clean-up of all animal waste.
- Ensure that each service animal has all legally required vaccinations.
- Take financial responsibility for any property damage caused by the service animal. (28 C.F.R. § 36.302(c)(8))
Removal of Service Animals
A person with a disability can be asked to remove his or her service animal from the premises if the animal is out of control and the animal’s owner does not take effective action to control it, or if the animal is not housebroken. (28 C.F.R. § 36.302(c)(2)). If the behavior persists, the person with a disability may be told to refrain from bringing the animal onto University property until the problem is remedied. Service animals that are in ill health and/or pose a health and safety risk to others are not permitted on University property.
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