Procedure on Service and Assistance Animals

Service animal – 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. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability.

A “service animal” is a dog individually trained to provide support to an individual with a disability. Service animals include, but are not limited to, guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for the deaf/hard of hearing, and service animals for individuals with physical disabilities and seizure disorders. Service animals/service dogs are not considered “pets” and are explicitly permitted under state and federal civil rights laws. The College will require documentation for a service animal consistent with the American with Disabilities Act. Please note that laws regarding services animals are different and service animals are allowed to be with their handler at all times, unless otherwise noted.

Assistance animal – A broad range of animals used in a place of residence to alleviate one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. Assistance animals are not considered service animals.

Partner/Handler/Owner – A person with a service animal or assistance animal.

An “emotional support animal” is an animal that is owned by an individual with a disability. Emotional support animals provide emotional support to their owner in relation to a specific diagnosed disability. There must be a clear nexus between emotional support provided by the animal and the specific disability of the student. Students wishing to bring an emotional support animal to campus must submit an Emotional Support Animal Request Form, all necessary documentation and be approved. Generally, Emotional Support Animals are limited to either a dog or a cat. Any exceptions to these two animals must be approved through the Accessibility Services Office.

• Documentation from your mental healthcare professional stating diagnosis and need for an ESA as part of your on-going treatment
• Copy of veterinary records for animal, including pet health history and vaccinations and/or free of communicable disease. This documentation MUST show that ESA has been spayed or neutered.

The Accessibility Services Office may require further documentation:

• that the student has a disability for which the animal is needed
• how the animal assists the student
• the nexus between the student’s disability and the assistance that the animal provides

If a student is requesting that a service animal or assistance animal live in campus housing, the student is encouraged to notify the Accessibility Services Office at least thirty (30) days prior to the desired move-in date so that NCMC can best accommodate the student and the animal. If all other criteria are met, as set forth by the Accessibility Services Office, a meeting will be arranged between the student and the Director of Residence Life to discuss how to best accommodate the student, the animal, and the campus community.

1. The animal’s behavior or presence poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
2. The animal is out of control and the animal’s owner does not take effective action to control it, or
3. The animal’s presence fundamentally alters the nature of a program or activity. If it is determined that an animal’s presence must be prohibited, reasonable accommodations will be provided to assure equal access to the student.

Students requesting the use of an assistance animal should contact the Accessibility Services Office in the Alexander Student Center, or by calling (660) 357-6405. Employees should contact the President’s Office at ext. 1200. Assistance animals will be limited to housing areas only.

Although not necessary, students using service animals are encouraged to contact the Accessibility Services Office so they can assist the owner with questions or other potential accommodations. If the student plans to live in campus housing, accommodations may need to be discussed on how best to provide for the animal and student.

No. However, two circumstances warrant faculty/staff access to specific information about a student’s disability.

1. The student gives permission to the Accessibility Services Office to disclose disability to faculty/staff.
2. It is determined there is a need to know. Typically, this occurs when there is a threat to harm a person or property.

A student’s disability documentation is considered a confidential medical or educational record. Communication about disability or accommodations should respect a student’s right to privacy at all times. Communication between instructors and students concerning disability-related matters, including accommodation arrangements, during class or in other public settings, is discouraged.