91¶ÌÊÓƵappÆƽâ°æ

Date Last Revised: August 2025 
Approved by: Senior Team
Responsible Office: Division of Student Life
Responsible Senior Staff Member: Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students or designee

Statement

91¶ÌÊÓƵappÆƽâ°æ is committed to providing equal access and reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), individuals with disabilities may be accompanied by a service animal in all areas of the College where members of the public, participants in services, programs, or activities, or invitees are allowed to go. Service animals play a vital role in supporting individuals with disabilities and are welcomed as part of our inclusive and accessible community.

Scope

This policy applies to all members of the 91¶ÌÊÓƵappÆƽâ°æ community, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Handlers are responsible for ensuring their service animals meet behavioral and health expectations. Service animals must be under control at all times and cannot pose a threat to the health or safety of others. Students, employees, and visitors are expected to comply with this policy in accordance with state and federal laws. The Division of Student Life oversees implementation and compliance with the policy.

Policy

It is the policy of 91¶ÌÊÓƵappÆƽâ°æ that service animals assisting individuals with disabilities are generally permitted in all Mount Holyoke facilities, programs and activities, except as described below or otherwise governed by applicable law. 

Definitions

Service Animal

The definition of a service animal is provided by Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended. Pub. L. 101 - 336, 104 Stat. 327, 42 U.S.C. 12101 - 12213 and 47 U.S.C. 225 and 611) ((42 U.S.C. 12181)

A service animal is 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 species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition.

Emotional Support Animal

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that provides therapeutic emotional support for an individual with a diagnosed mental health disability. Unlike service animals that are trained to perform specific tasks that are important to the independence or safety of their disabled handler, ESAs are generally not trained to perform disability-specific tasks. Emotional Support Animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are not service animals under Title II and Title III of the ADA. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are governed separately under the 91¶ÌÊÓƵappÆƽâ°æ Emotional Support Animal Policy.

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.
• Providing nonviolent protection or rescue work.
• Pulling a wheelchair.
• Assisting an individual during a seizure.
• Alerting individuals to the presence of allergens.
• Retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone.
• 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. 

Handler Responsibilities 

While access rights are legally afforded to users of service animals, that access is accompanied by the responsibility of ensuring that animals act and respond appropriately at all times while in public and that handlers adhere to the same socially accepted standards of behavior as other members of the College community. All handlers (students, employees, or temporary visitors )must adhere to the guidelines outlined in this policy. Handlers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their service animals.

Control Requirements 

The following apply for service animals at Mount Holyoke:

• The service animal must be house-trained.
• A service animal shall be under the control of its handler. Uncontrolled pawing, jumping on other people, or running away from the handler are examples of unacceptable behavior for a service animal. A service animal shall have a harness, leash or other tether, at all times outside of the handler’s private quarters or work area. Note: Exceptions to this guideline are instances where the handler’s disability interferes with the use of 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. When a leash or tether is not in use, the service animal must be otherwise under the handler’s control (e.g., voice control, signals or other effective means).
• The handler must assure that the service animal does not display noises that are deemed disruptive to others, unless said noises are part of the needed service to the handler. For example, uncontrolled barking or whimpering are not appropriate for a service animal.
• The handler is responsible for cleaning up after their animal’s waste, and should always carry sufficient and appropriate equipment to clean up after the animal. Waste must be properly disposed of. Persons with disabilities who physically cannot clean up after their own service animal will not be required to do so; however, these individuals should take their animal to designated relief areas for relief. If an animal relieves itself in non-designated areas (as referenced below), these individuals may ask a person nearby for assistance. 

Financial Responsibility 

Any person who has a service animal on campus (including College housing) is financially responsible for property damage caused by their service animal, including but not limited to cost of repairs, replacement, or cleaning of facilities or furnishings, and any bodily injury or personal injury caused to other persons by the service animal. 

Licensing and Health/Vaccinations 

If the animal resides on campus, it must meet the town of South Hadley and/or Massachusetts licensing requirements and wear tags designating this license. If the animal accompanies a commuter student, employee or other campus visitor and resides in another locale, the animal must meet the licensing requirements of the handler’s resident town and wear tags indicating this licensing. 

The following health requirements apply to service animals at Mount Holyoke:

• All dogs must wear a rabies vaccination tag as required by applicable Massachusetts or local law.
• All service animals living in College housing or coming onto campus on a regular basis (excluding occasional visitors or guests) must be vaccinated against diseases common to that type of animal in accordance with state and local laws, rules and regulations. All vaccinations must be current.
• Any service animals that regularly come to campus or are housed in College housing must have an annual clean bill of health from a licensed veterinarian.

Service Animals-in-Training/Service Puppies

A service animal in training is a dog that has been through obedience and socialization training and is now being trained in tasks related to serving the disability-related needs of a person with a disability (for example, to work under harness learning to guide someone who is blind, or to assist a person with mobility limitations, or to respond to specific and unique commands to support the needs of the disabled owner/handler). SDIT are expected to adhere to all behavioral standards established for service animals when in public spaces. Massachusetts state law declares that person accompanied by and engaged in the raising or training of a service dog, including a hearing, guide or assistance dog, shall have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as those afforded to an individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. sections 12101 et seq.

The user/handler will provide the College with evidence that the puppy is a bona fide service dog candidate supplied by an authorized service dog organization, and is one that the service dog organization expects will return for specialized training when the puppy is old enough, i.e., proof that the puppy is not a program dropout and will, in fact, be given up after the raising period is over. In addition: 

• Service puppies and service dogs-in-training may not remain alone in a student’s residence more than four (4) hours at a time, regardless of the student’s academic, employment or social schedules.
• The handler will not delegate any of the responsibilities for raising the puppy or trainee, including but not limited to those delineated herein, to any other student(s) except as follows:
  • The handler may designate roommates to be responsible, in their absence, for feeding, walking (including required cleanup) and maintaining the puppy’s sleeping area in clean and good order; however, such designation does not relieve the handler of any responsibilities nor transfer such responsibilities to any other person.
• Repeated infractions of the Service Animal Policy will result in the removal of the service puppy from campus.

Relief Areas 

Students with service animals living on campus are encouraged to use the lawn areas (grassy areas) for their animals’ relief. Waste must be picked up using a bag and disposed of in the pet waste receptacles provided. Landscaped areas with mulch or rocks are not appropriate for animal relief. Students with questions or additional needs regarding relief areas are encouraged to contact Disability Services.

Students Living in Residence with a Service Animal 

Mount Holyoke encourages, but does not require, students to make themselves known to the College should they desire to have a service animal accompany them in academic classes, activities or services on campus. If a student plans to have their service animal live with them in residence, they are asked to provide notice to the College. Students should provide notice to the College by contacting the Office of Residential Life at res-life@mtholyoke.edu or at 413-538-2088. Service animals are not an accommodation coordinated through Disability Services. 

Service Animals in the Workplace 

Employees must be approved for an accommodation to bring their service animal to work. Employee questions about service animals or accommodation requests to have a service animal at work shall be made through the Department of Human Resources. Employees can call the office at 413-538-2503. 

Visitors Bringing Service Animals to Campus 

Service animals accompanying individuals with disabilities are welcome in all areas of campus that are open to the public (except in situations determined to apply under section 10, below). 

Service Animals That Are Not House-trained or Under Control 

If a service animal is determined to be out of control (e.g, displaying vicious behavior toward people or toward other service animals; excessive barking, running around, nipping) or is not house-trained, the handler may be asked to leave the building and be subject to action within the College’s disciplinary process. The infraction will be reviewed on an individual basis through the student conduct process (in the case of students) and by the Assistant Vice President of Labor and Employee Relations(in the case of employees). The Section 504 Coordinator will review infractions by handlers who are visitors. The parties above may consult, as needed, with the appropriate College officials.

Public Etiquette on Campus 

Service animals are working animals, not pets. Accordingly, the College asks that visitors and members of the Mount Holyoke community adhere to the following best practices when interacting with service animals. Individuals should:

• Not assume that the animal is a pet.
• Not pet, touch, or otherwise deliberately distract a service animal. Petting distracts them from their responsibilities.
• Not feed a service animal.
• Not deliberately startle, tease or taunt a service animal.
• Not separate or attempt to separate an animal from its handler. Service animals are trained to be protective of the handler. Service animals are considered an extension of the handler.
• Not restrict the individual and the service animal from full participation in programs and activities of the College. This includes off-campus activities and activities involving transportation. Local laws that prohibit specific breeds of dogs do not apply to service animals.
• Not assume the handler must have a visible disability. Do not make assumptions about the necessity of the service animal.
• Not ask the handler for proof of training or certification. Higher Education institutions may not require any documentation about training or certification of a service animal. Service animals may but are not required to wear vests or harnesses indicating that they are a service animal.
• Not ask the handler to pay an additional surcharge or fee for bringing their service animal to campus.
• Not ask the handler about their specific medical condition.
• Not prioritize the needs of another individual over the needs of an individual with a service animal. For example, the College cannot restrict the access of a service animal fearing another member of the community may have an allergy or a fear of dogs. If a person is at risk of a significant allergic reaction to an animal, it is the responsibility of the College to find a way to accommodate both the service animal handler and the individual with the allergy.

If you are not sure whether an animal is a pet or a service animal, you may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. These questions should not be asked, however, if the animal’s service tasks are obvious. For example, the questions may not be asked if the dog is observed guiding an individual who is blind or has low vision, pulling a person’s wheelchair, or providing assistance with stability or balance to an individual with an observable mobility disability. 

Emergency Situations 

In the event of an emergency, on-campus personnel designated to respond are expected to recognize service animals and their role in communicating their handler’s need for assistance. The response personnel should be aware that animals may be protective in their confusion and should not be considered harmful. The responders should make every effort to keep the animal with its handler.

The handler and/or animal may be confused or disoriented in a stressful situation due to smoke, sirens, wind noise or by shaking and moving ground. The handler should make every effort to control the animal during an emergency and be prepared to muzzle or restrain the animal as needed. 

Handlers either in residence or in the workplace are encouraged to develop an individual evacuation plan (IEP) with the College. Students and employees can work with Public Safety and Service to create these plans.

Conflicting Disabilities 

Persons who have asthma, allergies or other medical conditions affected by the presence of animals are asked to contact Disability Services (in the case of students) and the Assistant Vice President for Labor and Employee Relations (in the case of employees). 

Restricted Access 

Service animals are allowed to accompany the partner at all times and everywhere on campus except where service animals are specifically prohibited. This includes the right to bring the service animal into food service locations.

The College may restrict the use of service animals in certain locations. Service animals may be restricted when their presence would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program or activity; or where the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. The safety of locations will be considered on an individual basis by Disability Services (in the case of students) and the Assistant Vice President for Labor and Employee Relations (in the case of employees), the laboratory director or professor, and the College risk management team. If a location is determined to be unsafe, reasonable accommodations will be provided to ensure the individual equal access to the activity. 

A service animal may be excluded from any authorized area and its owner may be subject to disciplinary action if, including, but not limited to:

• The service animal displays aggressive or disruptive behavior or noises and effective action is not taken to control it; unless said noise/behavior(s) are part of the needed disability service to the owner;
• The service animal is not housebroken;
• The service animal poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others;
• The service animal is not in good health, well-groomed, or cared for;
• The service animal infringes inappropriately into other’s personal space;
• The owner intentionally uses the service animal to block identified fire/emergency exits.

NOTE: In the event that restriction or removal of a service animal is determined to be necessary, every effort will be made to assure that the individual still has access to the programs, services, or activities of the College without the animal.

Complaints, Appeals and Grievances, and Exceptions to the Policy 

Any claims of discrimination because of a disability or failure to provide reasonable accommodations regarding the use of a service animal on campus may be brought by any person (student, faculty, staff and visitor) to the Section 504 Coordinator. In accordance with the College’s Grievance Procedures, individuals will have the option to pursue a formal and/or informal resolution. 

Section 504 Coordinator
413-538-2273
section504coordinator@mtholyoke.edu

Policy Exceptions

Individuals wishing to request a modification or exception to this policy as a reasonable accommodation should make their request to Disability Services (in the case of students) and the Assistant Vice President for Labor and Employee Relations (in the case of employees).

Related Policies

• Animal Policy
• Emotional Support Animal Policy

Other Resources