Service Animals
In accordance with all applicable laws, North Idaho College provides meaningful access to students with service dogs to all programs, events, classroom and facilities.
Optional: Individuals who want to register an animal should contact the Center for Educational Access.
Employees (other than CEA staff) are not to approach an individual with questions about a service animal. Questions and concerns can be addressed by contacting CEA 769-7794, 665-4520.
Dogs may not necessarily be wearing a vest, have ID or be leashed.
The ADAAA, 2010 revised requirements defines a service animal as being:
“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 regulations specifically provide that “… [O]ther species of animals whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals”; however, miniature horses, if trained, may be used for the benefit of individuals with disabilities. Further, the regulation resolved the companion-therapy debate by clarifying that … “emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship” is not considered “work or tasks performed by a service animal.” (See Section 35.104).
The revised regulations specifically provide that institutions are permitted to only make two types of inquiries. If these question are asked they are to be asked in the CEA office by CEA staff only:
Whether the animal is required because of disability (is the dog a service dog) and
What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
The regulations specifically state that "A public entity shall not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal."
Additionally, if it is readily apparent what work or task the animal is trained to perform, such as, guiding an individual who is blind, the questions above should not be asked by anyone.
Key changes include the following:
1. Only dogs will be recognized as service animals.
2. Service animals are required to be leashed or harnessed except when performing work or tasks where such tethering would interfere with the dog's ability to perform.
3. Service animals are exempt from breed bans as well as size and weight limitations.
4.Entities may generally be required to accommodate the use of miniature horses under specific conditions.
1. Dogs whose sole function is “the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship” are not considered service dogs under the ADA.
2. The use of service dogs for psychiatric and neurological disabilities is explicitly protected under the ADA.
3. “The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence” do not qualify that animal as a service animal and “an animal individually trained to provide aggressive protection, such as an attack dog, is not appropriately considered a service animal.”
Department of Justice: Service Animals