You are aware of the library’s policy that states patrons cannot bring animals into the library unless they are service animals. You think this man is bringing his pet to the library. What would you do?
a) Ignore the man and his dog, telling yourself no one else seems to be concerned about it.
b) Ask the workers in the café if they are concerned about the presence of the dog and if they are, call the disability services or human resources office to find out if any person fitting the man’s description is permitted to bring his dog on campus. c) Go over to the man, identify yourself and ask if the dog is a service animal.
The correct answer is c) Go over to the man, identify yourself and ask if the dog is a service animal. Although universities must permit persons with disabilities to bring their service animals to all areas of the campus open to the public, this requirement does not extend to pets or other animals that are not service animals. For example, many universities do not permit students to have pets while living in residences.
While only disability services or human resources personnel should request and access medical documentation verifying the need for a service animal, other university personnel may ask the person for confirmation in situations where it may not be obvious if the animal is a service animal.
