Animals on Campus Policy

This policy is intended to control the nuisance and potential health and safety hazard created by domestic animals (e.g. dogs, cats, livestock) and wild animals (e.g. raccoons, skunks, opossums) on campus. Animals and pets are not permitted in campus buildings, with two exceptions: any guide dog, signal dog or other animal individually trained (or undergoing training) to assist an individual with a disability, and dogs registered by Faculty and Staff with Campus Safety. Service dogs must be identified while on campus wearing the appropriate service dog attire. Service animals in training must receive prior approval of the President’s Office before coming onto campus.

This request should be initiated in writing to the attention of the college President. This policy applies to all students, faculty and staff.

Students in violation of this policy will go through the judicial process. In the case of faculty or staff, violations shall be reported to the appropriate supervisor to initiate corrective action.

Service Animal Policy

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 species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. 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 non-violent 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, and 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. (Federal Regulation Title 28 → Chapter I → Part 36 → Subpart A → §36.104)

Some Examples of Types of Service Animals

Guide dog: A dog that is trained to serve as a travel tool for individuals who are blind or have low vision.

Hearing dog: A dog trained to alert deaf persons or those with significant hearing loss, to sounds such as knocks on doors, fire alarms, phone ringing, etc.

Service dog (assistance dog): A dog trained to assist a person with a mobility or health impairment. Types of duties the dog may perform include carrying, fetching, 18 opening doors, ringing doorbells, activating elevator buttons, steadying a person while walking, assisting a person to get up after a fall, etc.

Sig (signal) dog: A dog trained to assist a person with autism. The dog makes a person aware of movements, which may appear distracting to others and are common to those with autism. A person with autism may also have deficits in sensory input and may need service animals to provide similar assistance as is provided to a person who is blind or deaf.

Seizure response dog: A dog trained to assist persons with seizure disorders. The method by which the dog serves varies depending on the individual's needs. Some dogs are able to predict seizures and provide advanced warning.

Requirements of Service Animals and Their Handlers

The following generally apply to all approved service animals:

  • The service animal must be registered through the Disability Services Office and the Security Office.
  • The service animal must have all veterinarian recommended vaccinations to maintain the animal’s health and prevent contagious diseases. Documentation of vaccinations must be provided in advance.
  • The service animal must be licensed and have tags in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Documentation of animal licensing must be provided in advance to NCC. NCC also reserves the right to request proof of licensing anytime during the animal’s residency.
  • The service animal must be on a leash, harness or tether at all times. Exceptions may occur when the animal is performing a specific duty that requires it to be unleashed or where the Nature of the documented disability of the handler precludes adherence to this requirement.
  • The handler must be in full control of the animal at all times.
  • The care and supervision of a service animal is solely the responsibility of its handler. The handler must (1) always carry equipment sufficient to clean up the service animal’s feces whenever the animal and handler are on NCC campus; and (2) be responsible for the proper disposal of the animal’s feces and for any damage caused by the waste or its removal.
  • The service animal must be well-behaved. The handler must ensure that the animal refrains from behavior that threatens the health and safety of others.
  • The service animal whose behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or is disruptive to the NCC community may be excluded, regardless of training or certification. Service Animals in Training: All the above statements apply to service animals in-training.