Service Animals (such as dogs) in the Library

In general, Disability Access Services (DAS) has advised us not to approach patrons with an animal unless the animal is causing a disruption. Approaching well-behaved animals puts the burden on the patron to explain the need for their service animal unnecessarily.

Service Animal Definition: An animal (usually a dog) that has been individually trained to perform tasks or do work for the benefit of a person with a disability.

Examples of service animals that must be allowed into public accommodations under the ADA include:

hearing dogs, which alert their handlers to important sounds, such as alarms and doorbells
guide dogs, which help those who are visually impaired to navigate safely
psychiatric service animals, which help those with mental or emotional disabilities by, for example, interrupting self-harming behaviors, reminding handlers to take medication, checking spaces for intruders, or providing calming pressure during anxiety or panic attacks
seizure alert animals, which let their handlers know of impending seizures, and may also guard their handlers during seizure activity, and
allergen alert animals, which let their handlers know of foods that could be dangerous (such as peanuts).

Emotional Support Animals: animals that provide a sense of safety, companionship, and comfort to those with psychiatric or emotional disabilities or conditions.

Under the ADA and Oregon law, owners of public accommodations are not required to allow emotional support animals, only service animals.

What can we ask?

Is this a service animal?
What task is it trained to perform?

We cannot ask or do:

What is your disability (or any other information about the patron’s health).
Do you have paperwork?

When should we ask a patron with an animal to leave?

If the animal is posing a direct threat to the health and safety of others.
If the patron does not have control of the animal and/or is unwilling to control the animal.
If the animal is not housebroken.

If approaching a patron with an animal becomes necessary:

Approach with kindness. Most of the time the animal is a service animal or the patron doesn’t realize emotional support animals are not allowed in the library.
Focus on the well-being and safety of their animal. It isn’t safe for a poorly-trained animal to be in the library.
- They could get into a fight with another animal.
- They might get startled or scared and bite someone.
Use it as an opportunity to offer sympathy and education. Especially in the case of emotional support animals.

Additional resources:

OSULP policy

OSU Accessibility website

Disability Rights of Oregon pdf document download