Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its’ amendments and the Maine Human Rights Act provide that any dog, and on a very limited basis a miniature horse, that is individually trained to do work or performs tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability is a service animal. The work or tasks the service animal performs must be directly related to the handler’s disability. This can include a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or mental disability. Service animals are permitted in areas of public accommodation. Service animals that pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others, cannot be effectively controlled by the owner, or are not housebroken will not be allowed as an accommodation.
Owners are responsible for having animals toilet in an appropriate area and cleaning up after their service animals. Service animals in training are not allowed on campus as an accommodation unless accompanied by a specially trained handler. Damages created by a service animal are the financial responsibility of the owner. If a service animal accompanies a student to campus, it must meet the town's licensing requirements and display such a tag. All dogs must wear a rabies vaccination tag as required by law and be vaccinated against diseases common in dogs as determined by a licensed Maine veterinarian. Generally, it is advisable that a service animal wears some identifying feature that it is a working animal and should not be interfered with by others.
To determine if an animal qualifies as a service animal, the College may ask the following questions:
- Is the animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
The owner must provide to the ADA Coordinator proof of current vaccinations against common diseases in this type of animal (dog) as determined by a licensed Maine veterinarian. The owner must also provide an annual clean bill of health, including vaccinations, from a licensed Maine veterinarian. The student must provide contact information for an alternative caregiver in case of an emergency.
The student assumes all financial responsibility related to the campus facility and bodily or personal injury caused by the service animal.
Approved:______________________________________________________________________
Monika Bissell, DBA
President