POLICY 08:03:16

SERVICE ANIMALS

1. Policy Statement
   Pellissippi State Community College permits service animals assisting individuals with disabilities in all facilities and programs on the Pellissippi State campuses except as described below.
2. Definition
   The Americans with Disabilities Act Amended of 2008 (ADAA) for title II defines “service animals” as, “dogs1 that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a service animal has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Service animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under ADAA.
   If there is any uncertainty about whether an animal qualifies as a service animal, a determination will be made by the director of Disability Services (DS), Lamar Alexander Building, Room 136 , 865.539.7153 and the executive director of Equity and Compliance, Goins Administration Building, Room 258-A, 865-539-7354 , in consultation with each other. The decision of the director of Disability Services and the executive director of Equity and Compliance is final.
3. When a Service Animal May be Asked to Leave
   A service animal may be asked to leave a Pellissippi State facility or program under certain conditions, including but not limited to:
   • The animal’s behavior or presence poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. For example, a service animal that displays vicious behavior towards people may be excluded.
   • The presence of a service animal fundamentally alters the nature of a program or activity or is disruptive.
   • Is non-compliant with one or more of the requirements for service animals.
4. Requirements for Service Animals
   The owner/keeper of the service animal is responsible for meeting the following conditions.
   1. Health. Service animals must be healthy; they must be immunized against diseases common to that type of animal. All vaccinations must be current. Dogs must wear a current rabies vaccination tag.
   2. Under Control. Dogs must be on a leash, harnessed or tethered at all times, unless impracticable or unfeasible due to owner/keeper’s disability. Pellissippi State may allow other animals defined by federal regulation as “service animals” in accordance with the applicable federal regulations.

   Supervision. The owner/keeper of a service animal must be in full control of the animal at all times. The care and supervision of a service animal is solely the responsibility of owner/keeper.
   Cleanliness. The service animal must be housebroken. The owner/keeper of the service animal must clean up after the animal defecates and properly dispose of any animal waste in outdoor trash receptacles. In addition, the service animal must be properly groomed and free of fleas or other similar conditions.

5. Service Dogs in Training
   Consistent with Tennessee law, T. C. A. § 62-7-112, Pellissippi State allows service dogs in training to be admitted to facilities. Service dogs in training must be on a leash, be under the control of the raiser and wear a collar, leash, or other appropriate apparel or device that identifies the accredited school with which it is being raised. The trainer must present credentials for the dog issued by a school for dog training to the executive director of Equity and Compliance, Goins Administration Building, Room 258A, 865-539-7354, prior to bringing the dog to campus.

Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council January 30, 2012
Approved by President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., January 30, 2012
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, March 6, 2017
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr. March 6, 2017
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, June 27, 2022
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., June 27, 2022