The ADA defines a Service Animal as “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.” Importantly, other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not Service Animals for the purposes of the ADA.
Students needing a service animal must register with with the DS Office prior to bringing the service animal to campus to ensure reasonable accommodations are appropriately provided to the student. NICC Service Animal Registration . The service animal handler can best provide recommendations for faculty, staff, and students on procedures to interact with service animals. The DS Office can assist with this communication, if requested.