Health and Safety A-Z
Topic: Service Animals
Summary:
At Trent University, we are devoted to maintaining an inclusive, accessible, and safe environment for all members of our community, including those with service animals and pets. Understanding and adhering to our policies regarding animals on campus is important to ensure the safety, well-being, and respect of every individual and animal present within our premises.
On this page, you will discover the guidelines, responsibilities, and processes to follow under our Service Animals Policy, established to navigate and manage the presence of animals on campus effectively. Whether you are a student, an employee, or a visitor, we ask you to familiarize yourself with these policies to contribute to a conducive and respectful campus atmosphere.
For any further clarifications or concerns regarding any of these policies, students can connect with the Office of Student Affairs while staff can connect with Human Resources or the Centre for Human Rights, Equity, and Accessibility.
Service Animals on Campus
To support individuals with disabilities, we have established a Service Animals Policy, detailing the processes and responsibilities for bringing service animals on campus.
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Eligibility and Registration:
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Handlers, both students and employees, must register their service animals with the proper department, supplying the completed Service Animal Registration Form and proof of up-to-date vaccinations. Please refer to the specific processes outlined below for students or employees.
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Process for Students:
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Students wishing to bring a service animal to campus with them must obtain a copy of the Service Animal Request Form from the Student Wellness Centre: Accessibility Services.
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The student will fill in the top half themselves and have their attending health care practitioner complete the bottom half. The health care practitioner must be from the list of regulated health professionals provided above under Eligibility, in accordance with Ontario provincial law set out in the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act).
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The student will sign the Service Animal Handler Agreement and submit the completed document to Accessibility Services, along with proof of up-to-date mandatory vaccines for their service animal.
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Upon receipt of the Service animal Registration Form, Accessibility Services will review for completion and qualification and forward approved service animal and Handler information to the TrentU Card office to print an identification badge for the service animal.
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Process for Employees:
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Employee service animal handlers will obtain a copy of the Employee Service Animal Documentation Form from the Human Resources website.
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The employee will complete Sections 1 and 2 themselves and have their attending health care practitioner complete Section 3. The health care practitioner must be from the list of regulated health professionals provided above under the Eligibility heading, in accordance with Ontario provincial law set out in the AODA.
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Upon receipt of the Service animal Registration Form, Human Resources will review for completion and qualification and notify the employee’s supervisor of the approval of Service Animal.
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If in Peterborough, the employee will attend the TrentU Card Office and present proof of up-to-date mandatory vaccines for their service animal and will be presented with an ID card for their service animal. The Card Office will review but not keep a copy of vaccination records for service animals. It is the handler's responsibility to send proof of up-to-date vaccinations as they are needed.
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If in Durham, the employee will email their completed documentation to the Card Office in Peterborough for review and ID card processing.
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Responsibilities and Behaviour:
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Handlers are responsible for the safekeeping, behaviour, and needs of their service animals, ensuring they do not disrupt university activities. Any complaint or behavioural issues arising must be addressed promptly by the handler.
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Areas of Access and Exclusions:
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Service animals enjoy extensive access rights on campus unless excluded by law or if they pose safety concerns. In such cases, alternative measures will be provided to accommodate the persons with disabilities.
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Liabilities:
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Handlers assume all liabilities, including costs related to damage, legal proceedings, and animal care due to non-compliance with the policy.
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Procedure for Service Animal Approvals
For a detailed overview of the Service Animals Policy, please refer to Service Animals on Campus Procedure.
Common Questions About Animals on Campus
How does Trent University categorize pets, service animals, and emotional support animals?
The University distinctly categorizes animals into service animals, emotional support animals, and pets. Service animals are defined by their function to assist individuals with disabilities, while emotional support animals supply emotional support but do not have the same privileges or rights under Ontario legislation, and are considered pets. Pets are animals kept for companionship without the specific roles of the other two categories.
If I am attending Trent at one of the Durham locations, how do I secure a TrentID for my service animal?
If in Durham, students will take their completed documentation, proof of mandatory vaccinations to the office of Student Affairs, who will send electronic copies to the Card Office in Peterborough for processing. Employees will email their completed documentation to the Card Office in Peterborough for review and ID card processing.
Where can pets and service animals roam on campus, and where are they restricted?
Service animals, with proper documentation, have a wide range of access on campus, though certain restrictions apply such as leashing by-laws. Pets may occasionally enter buildings with necessary permission but are prohibited in specific areas like residences, libraries, food service areas, Student Health Services, and more.
How does the university ensure accommodation for individuals with service animals in housing and classes?
The University ensures that individuals with service animals can access housing and classes, with specific accommodation based on individual needs. Any exclusions by law or policy need alternate accommodations.
What's expected concerning pets' and service animals' conduct and the duties of their handlers?
Animals must be safely kept, controlled, and cleaned up after. They should not disrupt campus activities or members of the campus community. Service animals should be non-aggressive and obedient.
How should pet and service animal waste be managed?
Handlers are responsible for ensuring service animal waste is promptly picked up, bagged, and deposited in proper outdoor waste bins.
What happens if the animal policies aren't followed?
Non-compliance can result in various consequences, ranging from addressing animal behaviour to potential financial liabilities for damages. In severe cases, animals may be prohibited from re-entering university spaces.
What's the impact of these policies on others, including those with allergies or animal-related fears?
The University strives to address conflicts and competing rights. Questions or concerns about conflicting rights are directed by students to the Office of Student Affairs and by staff to Human Resources or the Centre for Human Rights, Equity, and Accessibility.
How do these policies safeguard the welfare of pets and service animals?
Handlers must keep a high standard of care for their animals, keeping them away from harmful locations and ensuring they meet health standards, including vaccinations.
In case of policy-related disputes, what's the approach for resolution?
The University provides avenues for addressing concerns through the Centre for Human Rights, Equity, and Accessibility (CHREA). Disputes can be raised here, ensuring fairness and resolution in line with the University’s values and policy frameworks.
What will happen for current students with comfort animal agreements in place?
As a part of this new policy, students with an established agreement or approval for a comfort animal on campus will be allowed to maintain their arrangement until they graduate from their current program