Service Animals

Service animal means 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. Other animal species, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be 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
• 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,
• alerting individuals to the presence of allergens,
• retrieving items such as medicine,
• providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities,
• helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by 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.

Individuals with disabilities are permitted to be accompanied by their service animals in all areas of the University’s facilities where members of the public, participants in services, programs, or activities, or invitees, as relevant, are allowed to go.

A service animal must always be under the control of its handler. A service animal shall have a harness, leash, or other tether, unless either the handler is 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 which case the service animal must be otherwise under the handler's control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means).

Service animals must be housebroken and must not defecate or urinate indoors. The handler must pick up and properly dispose of animal excrement.

Staff should not make inquiries about a service animal when it is readily apparent that the dog is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, AND is behaving and performing tasks of a trained service animal.

Asking questions about the animal is permitted if one observes a service animal that is:

1. out of control (barking, growling, running freely without returning to handler to provide support), defecating or urinating indoors, or
2. clearly not providing a service (e.g., carried in a bag or purse).

1. Is the animal required because of a disability? Do not ask about the nature or extent of a person's disability.
2. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

The University cannot require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal. If an incident with a service animal leaves you unsure, please call OAA for assistance in resolving the matter.

Staff can only ask when there is a clear and observable issue with the dog’s behavior. Occasionally, staff may experience a situation where a dog is misbehaving or creating a disturbance, and there is a need to request the individual to remove the animal. Staff should be sensitive to the handler but also be prepared to maintain a safe and orderly environment in our facilities. Even if the handler states that the dog is a service animal, there is no requirement to allow it to disturb the safe use and enjoyment of campus spaces. University staff are not responsible for any aspects of caring for a service animal.

1. The animal is out of control, and the animal's handler does not take effective action to control it; or
2. The animal is not housebroken.

For assistance with ongoing issues or incidents, please contact OAA to discuss the situation. 618-453-5738

In Illinois, public entities, such as State universities, are required to allow handlers of service animals-in-training to enter campus buildings and events. However, the same behavior requirements for fully trained service dogs and handler responsibilities apply.

At SIU, a Registered Student Organization is affiliated with a local service animal trainer known as the SIT Service Dog company. Students in this RSO volunteer their time and are trained by the SIT Service Dog company to use the methods in training service dogs. A college campus is a natural environment that working dogs will encounter, and SIU is pleased to partner with this RSO to support quality training of service dogs. SIT service dogs-in-training, once ready for training, can attend classes and enter public spaces with the RSO members. The dogs have a specialized harness identifying them, and the handlers are responsible for ensuring the dogs do not cause a disruption.

Persons with disabilities may train their own animal but must also follow all the campus animal policy and must ensure that their dog does not disrupt classes or events.