Animals on Campus Policy

Service Animals 

Saint Paul College welcomes service animals on campus. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals with disabilities have the right to bring service animals into public spaces. While individuals with disabilities are encouraged to notify Access and Disability Resources (students) or Human Resources (employees) of a service animal, they are not required to do so.  

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) 

ESAs are companion animals that provide therapeutic benefit. Because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they are not considered service animals under the ADA. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are not generally permitted on campus. They are not eligible for academic accommodations through Access and Disability Resources, as ESAs are not recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for public access in educational settings. 

Saint Paul College does not allow students or visitors to bring pets or emotional support animals into campus buildings or facilities. However, in limited cases, an ESA may be present as part of an approved Saint Paul College activity. These exceptions are reviewed and authorized in advance by the appropriate college department. Employees seeking formal ADA accommodation involving a service animal should contact Human Resources for guidance and approval. 

Identification of Service Animals 

As defined by Minnesota state law, only dogs and miniature horses are recognized as service animals. If it is not obvious that an animal on campus is a service animal, employees may ask two questions: 

• Is the animal required because of a disability?  
• What task has the animal been trained to perform?  

Employees should not ask individuals with a service animal about their disability or ask the individual with a service animal to produce documentation. Service animals are not required to wear identification vests. While service animals are allowed on campus, they may be restricted in certain areas if the presence of animal poses a threat to public safety (e.g, kitchen areas). Employees should contact Access and Disability Resources if they have questions on student accommodations related to service animals.  

Responsibilities of Service Animal Handlers 

Service animals must follow all safety regulations and service animals must be under the control of the handler at all times. The handler is responsible for the animal at all times. Service animals must be well behaved and not cause distraction or injury to others. The handler is responsible for any required protective equipment that the animal needs and must ensure that the animal is housebroken, trained, in good health. Animals must wear protective equipment in certain classrooms and labs when required, and the handler is responsible for the dog’s safety. The handler is responsible for any accidental waste or damage caused by their animal. If the animal needs to vocalize as part of service responsibilities, the instructor or event host should be made aware of circumstances when this will happen. 

Responsibilities of Faculty 

When a service animal is disclosed to Access and Disability Resources (ADR), ADR staff will notify faculty of the animal’s presence in their classroom. However, because disclosure is not legally required, faculty may occasionally encounter service animals without prior notice. 

In all cases, faculty are expected to maintain a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. This includes ensuring that both students and service animals follow safety protocols and that the animal’s presence does not disrupt instruction. 

Faculty should remind students that service animals are working and must not be touched, spoken to, or otherwise engaged by anyone other than the handler. 

If any issues or disruptions arise, instructors should communicate directly with the handler to resolve them. Service animals are typically positioned beside their handler, and any changes to this placement must be discussed and agreed upon with the handler. The animal’s location should always allow it to perform its tasks effectively without posing a safety risk to others in the classroom. 

Accommodation for Individuals with Allergies to Service Animals 

Individuals with allergies to animals are entitled to reasonable accommodation. 

• Students who require accommodation due to animal allergies should contact Access and Disability Resources. 
• Faculty and staff with similar needs should reach out to Human Resources for support and guidance. 

Service Animal Behavior Expectations 

The service animal is expected to maintain a calm, respectful presence. If a service animal displays inappropriate behavior, the animal will not be allowed back on campus until documented retraining has happened. Dogs must not engage with the public while working on campus. Dogs should not bark, growl, charge, jump, or cause distractions. 

Service animals may be removed if the animal is out of control, causes distractions, or is a threat to others. Animal behavior problems or safety concerns should be reported to the Access and Disability Resources office. If there is an immediate safety emergency, Public Safety should be contacted.