Service Animal Policy, OPCVM

Policy for Service Animals at LMU-OPCVM

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to provide clarity surrounding access of service animals for faculty, staff and students at the Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park (LMU-OPCVM). This policy applies to both the Orange Park College of Veterinary Medicine (OPCVM) and Orange Park Anatomy and Research (OPAR) buildings in Orange Park, FL, and the affiliated sites at Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) and Clay County Animal Services (CCAS), but does not supersede any policies at Lincoln Memorial University or state or federal laws surrounding the use of service animals. This policy does not apply to any animals used for teaching or personal pets of faculty, staff or students. When students are on any other LMU campus location, the relevant College policy applies (e.g. Richard A Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine policy when at the DeBusk Veterinary Teaching Center).

Definitions:

ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act

Allowed Areas: Under the ADA, service animals are permitted anywhere in the facilities where the public is allowed to go. For the purposes of LMU-OPCVM, this includes classrooms, study spaces and lobbies for all buildings. For safety reasons, the service animal is not permitted in animal use areas.

Guardian/handler: Person with a disability that is responsible for the actions and care of the service animal while on LMU-OPCVM property.

Service Animal: A service animal is a dog (or possibly a miniature horse) that has been trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Service animals are not required to wear vests and documentation that the animal is registered as a service dog is not required.

Under Control: A service animal must be under control of its handler. According to the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

University: Lincoln Memorial University

Policy Statement:

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park (LMU-OPCVM) welcomes the presence of service animals in the Orange Park sites. Service animals are welcome in all allowed areas as long as the animal is under control, is housebroken, is vaccinated against rabies, and does not engage in disruptive behavior that the handler is not able to control, such as excessive barking or whining that disrupts the ability of others to work or learn.

Student(s) or visitor(s) bringing a service dog to campus should work with the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs (ADSA) to ensure appropriate access and support. LMU employees bringing the service animal to campus should work with the Humans Resources department.

Service animals are permitted in all public spaces on campus where the handler is permitted to be which includes, but is not limited to, classrooms, study spaces, student lounge areas and lobbies at both OPCVM and OPAR facilities. There are certain areas where, for the safety of the animal’s handler, the service animal, other people and/or animals under the care or control of LMU-OPCVM, the service animal will not be permitted unless specific authorization is granted by the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park. Those areas include:

1. Research laboratories and research animal spaces;
2. Teaching laboratory spaces: This includes microscopy labs, anatomy labs, clinical skills laboratory spaces;
3. Any location where teaching animals are located or housed. This includes all areas at JHS and CCAS.
4. Mechanical rooms or closets; and
5. Areas where there is danger to the service animal.

Access to any restricted areas must be granted on a case-by-case basis by the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park. These access needs must be requested in advance and will be approved only in writing.

People who use service animals are provided equal access to educational opportunities as other people. When the person requiring the service dog needs to enter these restricted spaces, the LMU-OPCVM will provide a temporary space for the dog to be safely housed. It is expected that the handler will provide a kennel that will keep the dog contained and will provide all necessary care and support for that animal. Employees at the LMU-OPCVM are not responsible for the care of the service animal when not directly with the handler.

Faculty and staff should not ask about the nature of a student’s disability, or the animal’s training, and should refer any questions or concerns to Assisant Dean of Student Affairs (ADSA) or Accessible Education Services (AES).

As is expected with all animals on campus, any animal waste on campus is the responsibility of the guardian/handler to dispose of in outside trash receptacles.

No animals, including service dogs, may be left unattended in vehicles.

The following responsibilities of the animal owner apply:

1. The behavior, noise, odor and waste of the animal must not exceed reasonable standards and must not cause disruption in learning or working for LMU-OPCVM faculty, staff and students.
2. The animal must be vaccinated against rabies in accordance with local law and meet all licensing requirements.
3. The animal must be in good health and maintain good hygiene. If fleas, ticks or other pests are detected, the owner/handler is responsible for taking the animal to a veterinarian for treatment.
4. From time to time, Lincoln Memorial University may use pesticides, pest control devices, de-icing materials, cleaning supplies and other materials for the maintenance and operation of the facilities. The University is not responsible for any harm to animals caused by such materials.
5. Animals involved in instructional delivery may come to campus with a variety of diseases and/or parasites. It is the guardian/handler’s responsibility to keep the service animal at least 10 feet from any other animals. The University is not responsible for any medical care associated with any disease, parasite or injury that the service animal acquires while at LMU-OPCVM facilities.
6. The guardian/handler is financially responsible for the animal including any bodily injury or property damage caused by the animal.

LMU-OPCVM requests that service dogs that are regularly brought to campus not be fed raw diets due to the risk of Salmonella.

Audience:

This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff and visitors of the Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park.

Compliance:

The guardian/handler is responsible for making sure that these policies are followed. Lincoln Memorial University reserves the right to require permanent removal of the animal from university property in the following cases:

1. The service animal becomes a threat to the health or safety of community members or causes excessive damage to property or facilities.
2. The service animal's behavior is unacceptable or disruptive, such as: uncontrollable noise; extreme odor; running loose; acting aggressively; or otherwise interfering with the community or with the nature of the University.
3. The service animal is ill, but veterinary assistance is not sought if poor health continues.
4. The service animal is not kept clean or is unkempt.
5. The guardian/handler does not clean up after the animal or properly dispose of waste, litter, or soiled bedding.
6. There is evidence of abuse or neglect.
7. The guardian/handler does not comply with this and other applicable policies.

If a service animal is disruptive, out of control, not housebroken, or presents a direct threat to the health or safety of others, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs (ADSA) and/or Accessible Education Services (AES) reserves the right to restrict its access and request removal. If the service animal is banned from University property, the handler has the right to work with the University to try to find a reasonable alternative accommodation in lieu of the banned service animal. Lincoln Memorial University is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for faculty, staff and students with disabilities. If a student wishes to appeal a service animal-related decision, they may submit a written appeal to the LMU Dean of Students.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park is responsible for keeping this policy up to date and modifying it as needed.

Applicable Regulations:

American Disabilities Act (www.ada.gov)

Name of Contact Person:

John Hollis, DVM, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park.

Email: John.Hollis @lmunet.edu, Office Phone: 423-869-7017

Document History:

Eff. 5/2026

***This document was modified from the policies for the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and the Lincoln Memorial University-Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine.