Service Animal Policy

Service animals shall not be excluded from Goldey-Beacom College’s (“GBC” or the College) facilities or activities. The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to a student with a disability that requires the use of a service animal. A service animal, trained to work or perform tasks for a person with a disability, is permitted anywhere the public is normally allowed to go on campus.

Rules and Responsibilities of a Service Animal Owner

The student or employee who requires a service animal is responsible for the control, cleanliness, and health of the service animal. A service animal must be individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of the individual with the disability.

Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

It is the College’s expectation that the service animal be in good health. The College may request that the service animal receive veterinary attention in appropriate circumstances. GBC is not required to provide care or food for a service animal. In accordance with the College’s local ordinances and regulations, the service animal must receive all required and/or recommended immunizations against diseases. Local licensing requirements must be followed, see https://www.nccde.org/705/Dog-Licenses.

It is the student’s or employee’s responsibility to remove and properly dispose of any waste in containers provided throughout the campus. A healthy service animal is cleaned and well groomed, and measures should be taken at all times for flea, tick, and odor control. If fleas, ticks, or other pests are detected through a facilities inspection of on-campus housing, that classroom or building will be treated using approved fumigation methods by a College approved pest control service. The College may use pesticides, pest control devices, de-icing materials, cleaning supplies, and other materials for the maintenance and operation of housing. The College is not responsible for any harm to a service animal caused by such materials.

If the student resides in on-campus housing, the student will be held responsible for any residence hall room damages. All damages will be noted on the Final Room Condition Checklist during the residence hall’s Health and Safety Inspections. The behavior, noise, odor, and waste of a service animal must not exceed reasonable standards, and these factors must not create an unreasonable disruption for other residents, Residential Life staff, and the College Community.

A service animal may not be left unattended by the student or employee handler at any time. If the student lives on campus, it is recommended the student provide the Residence Life Office with current emergency contact information.

An Advisor is available to assist the student with any questions regarding accommodations, including residing on campus.