Service animals are defined under the ADA as dogs that are trained to perform one or more specific tasks for a person with a disability. Service animals are permitted in all public areas of campus, except where specific restrictions apply as described in the Restricted Areas section below. Massachusetts State laws also support access to public places for service animals and their handlers. The policies below apply to students as well as visitors, guests, and temporary residents.
Examples of Service Animal Tasks: The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by actively preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. 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 for the purposes of this definition. (ADA, March 15, 2011) (Current law also includes a limited exception for miniature horses)
Service Animal Identification: Service animals (including puppies and trainees) shall be reasonably identified to the community by harness or service animal vest or other gear when not in a private or student residence in accordance with the provision stated under Control Requirements. If there is no identification, college staff may ask the two questions below to determine if a dog is a service animal:
(1) Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
(2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
Staff may not ask about the individual’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.
