North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC)

Service Animal: Policy and Procedures

Service Animals:

The ADA defines a service animal as "any animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals who are hearing impaired to intruders, pulling a wheelchair for a person, or fetching dropped items for a person with limited mobility."

A service animal is any animal individually trained (or "in training") to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. If an animal meets the ADA definition, it is considered a service animal regardless of whether it has been licensed or certified by a state or local government or an animal training program.

Service animals are permitted to accompany a person with a disability on the NIACC campus for College activities, services and programs. For an individual to use a service animal 1) the individual must have a disability as defined by the ADA, and 2) the accompanying animal must be trained to do specific tasks for the qualified individual. If there are any questions regarding service animals, please contact the Student Access Center at 641.422.4296 or email us.

Please complete our Service Animal Registry if you require a service animal on the NIACC campus.

"Pets" are not allowed in any campus buildings under this policy. Pets are domestic animals kept for pleasure and companionship.

Requirements of service animals and their partners:

The person with a disability who utilizes a service animal must register use of the animal with NIACC Disability Services.
The partner (a person with a disability requiring assistance of a service animal) must be in full control of the service animal at all times. The care and supervision of a service animal is solely the responsibility of its partner.
The animal must be on a leash at all times, unless the use of the leash is not appropriate for the type of animal.
The animal must wear a vaccination tag. The College reserves the right to ask for proof of current vaccination.
Each situation will be considered on an individual basis.
Regular bathing or cleaning of the animal is expected to avoid odor and shedding.
The partner is responsible for ensuring the clean-up of all animal waste.
Questions/concerns should be directed to the Counselor for Disability Services in the Student Access Office, AB-106

Forbidden Actions:

A. Service animals are prohibited from the following areas:

Kitchen and food-preparation areas
Hazardous service areas
Mechanical rooms/custodial closets
Other areas that may be contaminated by animal hair or dander, such as science laboratories where laboratory materials may be altered. Prior approval from instructors is necessary before a service animal is allowed in a laboratory.
Service animals that are ill should not be taken into public areas.

B. Touching of a service animal is forbidden, except upon the explicit prior consent of the partner.
C. Do not feed a service animal, as the animal may have specific dietary requirements.
C. Do not deliberately startle or distract a service animal.
E. Do not separate or attempt to separate a partner from his or her service animal.

Please note: If a service animal's behavior fundamentally alters the College's programs, activities and services; poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others; or displays threatening behavior toward others, the College may ask that the service animal be removed.

It is suggested that the partner of a service animal be willing to provide a short explanation regarding the service animal and what behaviors are expected of faculty, staff and classmates when in close proximity to the service animal.

Guests or community patrons using a service animal while on campus are strongly encouraged to notify NIACC Disability Services or individual building coordinators of their presence.

Disability Services

Student Support & Retention Office

North Iowa Area Community College, 500 College Drive, Mason City, IA 50401
641-423-1264 or 1-888-GO NIACC
www.niacc.edu