Assistance and Service Animals

• Under the ADA, a service animal is a dog or miniature horse that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) must be directly related to the person’s disability.
• Under Wisconsin state law, a service animal can be any species (except restricted farm or wild animals or animals that present a health or safety risk ascertained by an individualized review) trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) must be directly related to the person’s disability, and the service animal is only allowed in university facilities offering goods or services to the general public (e.g., The Union).

No. Since these animals are either in the process of being trained or have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they are not protected under the ADA. Other applicable laws, such as Wisconsin Statute 106.52(1)(fm), permit service animals-in-training to be brought into places offering goods or services to the general public (e.g., The Union, Nicholas Recreation Facility, etc.) if the animal is wearing a harness or leash and a special cape.

Individuals seeking to have an emotional support animal at the university must contact the appropriate university disability authority.

Yes. The ADA does not restrict the type of dog breed, unless the dog itself poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

No. There is no requirement under the ADA or state law for service animals to wear a vest, ID tag, or special harness. The service animal, however, must always be under the control of its handler by wearing a harness, tether, or leash. Alternative means of control (e.g., voice, signal, etc.) are permitted when a harness, tether, or leash interferes with the person’s disability or the animal’s ability to performance its work or tasks.

Under the ADA, a service animal is only a dog or miniature horse, whereas under Wisconsin state law, a service animal can be any species (except restricted farm or wild animals or animals that present a health or safety risk ascertained by an individualized review). Under both laws, a service animal is required to be under the handler’s control at all times. A service animal may be leashed or wear a vest, but this is not required if it interferes with a person’s disability. If it is not obvious that the animal is a service animal, the handler may only be asked the following two specific questions:

1. Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

Staff may never request any documentation for the animal, require the animal to demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of a person’s disability. Staff can use this decision-making guide for further assistance.

For further clarification on Service Animals please review our Assistance and Service Animals Decision Making Guide.

Generally, no. Students or program participants may voluntarily register their service animal. Employees work with their Divisional Disability Representative to request their service animal to be permitted in their workplace as a reasonable accommodation.

Yes, there are restrictions for employees with service animals. Service animals are not protected under the employment provisions of the ADA. Employees requesting to have their service animal at work must contact their Divisional Disability Representative to determine if the animal is a reasonable workplace accommodation.

The Rocky Mountain ADA Center offers this short, captioned, “Service Animals in the Workplace & Title I of the ADA” video that provides further information.

No. People with disabilities may train their animal themselves. A service animal must be fully trained and under the handler’s control to be protected.

The handler of a service animal, service animal-in-training, emotional support animal, or therapy animal is responsible for caring and supervising the animal, including toileting, feeding, grooming, and other care.

In most instances, yes. A service animal can accompany its handler in all areas of a dining hall a patron is permitted, such as salad bars and check-out aisles.

A service animal for a dining hall employee would need to be approved as a reasonable accommodation by a Divisional Disability Representative.

No. Even with certification, an emotional support animal needs to be approved as a reasonable accommodation by a university disability authority. Students requesting an emotional support animal in housing work with the McBurney Disability Resource Center and employees work with their Divisional Disability Representative. Spouses/partners of students or employees living in University Housing use the following disability accommodation request process. All other visitors or guests contact the ADA Coordinator for further information.

No. Please contact your McBurney Disability Resource Center Access Consultant for further information.

No. Therapy animals are not protected under any federal or state laws and are not an accommodation for individuals with disabilities unless approved as an emotional support animal. Therapy animals are considered pets and per UWS 18.08, they are prohibited from the university at all times except when explicitly authorized. Individuals seeking to bring their therapy animal to the university should contact their supervisor or dean.

The following entities have disability subject matter expertise and ensure compliance to applicable laws protecting individuals with disabilities. Collectively, they are the university’s disability authority: 

• ADA Coordinator in the Office of Compliance; 
• Divisional Disability Representatives in consultation with the Employee Disability Resources Office (for employees or prospective employees); and, 
• McBurney Disability Resource Center for students, program participants, and visitors.