Applies to: Faculty, Staff, Students
Policy Holder: Dean of Students, VP of Finance and Administration
Responsible Office: Dean of Students, Finance and Administration
Contact Information: Dean of Students, VP of Finance and Administration
Last Review Date: April 1, 2024
Replaces policy in effect prior to August 1, 2024.
A. Policy
The school prohibits animals in campus buildings with the exception of service animals and approved therapy animals as arranged by Student Services. Other Emotional Support Animals are not an exception to this policy.
B. Service Animals – Rights and Responsibilities
Service animals are a civil right and not an accommodation. Documentation is not required for the animal, and a special vest, patch, or harness are not required. Two questions may be asked of the owner of a service animal:
- Is the service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
Service animals are animals that have been trained to perform specific work or tasks. Trained service animals are welcome and may attend any class, meeting, or other event. Service animals, or adult service animals in training, must be housebroken and under handler control, with or without a harness. Misbehaving, out of control, or lunging service animals may be asked to leave the premises. Staff are not required to provide care or food for a service animal. A person assisted by a service animal may take breaks to care for the service animal. Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons to deny access to people using service animals.
C. Therapy Animals
Therapy animals on campus are arranged through an agreement between Student Services and approved providers. Requests for therapy animals on campus should be directed to the Dean of Students.
D. Emotional Support Animals
An emotional support animal is not a service animal. An emotional support animal is an animal that: (1) provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability; and (2) does not need to be trained to perform a specific disability-related task. It is a violation of Minnesota state law and this policy to misrepresent an animal as a service animal.
E. Pets
Domesticated pets are permitted outside on campus grounds when leashed, kenneled, or otherwise secured, and properly attended at all times. Owners must clean up after their pets and dispose of waste in outdoor trash receptacles. The School reserves the right to require the pet owner or guardian to present documentation from a veterinarian that the pet is in good health, has appropriate shots, and is in compliance with all applicable state and local health laws, especially in the case of a medical emergency related to the animal, such as an animal bite.
F. Violations
Failure to comply with this policy may result in asking the pet owner or guardian to leave the campus with their pet and/or other corrective action.