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  4. Campus Animal Policies

Campus Animal Policies

A. Purpose

Whitworth recognizes the important role animals can play in the lives of employees, students and our neighbors. Whitworth also respects the interests of safety and the health of all employees, students, guests and visitors. Consequently, animals are permitted on campus grounds and in campus facilities as provided under the terms of this policy.

B. Definitions

  1. Animal Owner: anyone who brings an animal to campus.
  2. Service Animal: a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. (Frequently Asked Questions About Service Animals and the ADA)
  3. Companion/Emotional Support Animal: an animal prescribed for a person with a disability by a licensed healthcare or mental health provider because the animal alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of the person's disability. Companion/ESAs must be approved by the educational support services office.
  4. Working Animal: an animal used in or for specific instruction, approved research, the provision of therapeutic care, or in the deployment of emergency services.

C. General Provisions

  1. Outdoors – Animals are allowed on Whitworth-owned or controlled outdoor public spaces under the following conditions:
    a. The animal owner is responsible for caring for the animal and ensuring the animal's safe and responsible behavior.
    b. Animals must be kept on a leash or in an appropriate transport container at all times. https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Section=10.03.035&Find=leash
    c. Animals may not be attached with a leash or other device to any tree, pole, fence, sign, building, fire hydrant, vehicle or other object.
    d. Animals must be prevented from chasing other animals or wildlife.
    e. The animal owner is responsible for cleaning up after the animal and properly disposing of waste in appropriate containers.
    f. Animals must meet local license requirements and wear tags as required by local and state regulation.
    g. Animals are not allowed on athletic fields.
    h. Students must work with the Whitworth Educational Support Services Office to secure approval to bring a service, companion or working animal into Whitworth facilities. Signed waivers are required.
    i. Pet owners will be held financially responsible and accountable for any damages or harm to persons or property.
    j. Whitworth University is not responsible for damages or harm to the animal.
    k. Whitworth University will try to accommodate requests as best we can.
  2. Service Animals
    a. Only service animals are permitted in Whitworth academic, administrative and support facilities.
    b. Employees must coordinate with their dean or their vice president and the associate vice president of human resources to bring an animal into Whitworth facilities. 
    c. Students must work with the Whitworth Educational Support Services Office to secure approval to bring a service, companion or working animal into Whitworth facilities.
    d. If an employee's or student's service or working animal will regularly be present in Whitworth facilities, the employee or student must post a sign in the relevant area stating that an animal is present.
  3. Companion/Emotional Support Animals
    a. Employees' companion/emotional support animals are not allowed in campus facilities. Rules in General Provisions, section 1 apply.
    b. Students must work with the educational support services office to secure approval to bring a service, companion or working animal into Whitworth facilities.
    c. Companion/emotional support animals owned by students are restricted to the owner's assigned Whitworth residence halls or theme houses only.
    d. Neighbors and guests must also comply with these provisions when on campus.

D. Violations of Policy

a. Anyone who brings an animal onto Whitworth's campus not in conformance with this policy will be required to immediately remove the animal from campus.
b. Students must work with the Whitworth Educational Support Services Office to secure approval to bring a service, companion or working animal into Whitworth facilities.
c. Stray, uncontrolled or unattended animals may be impounded by local authorities.
d. An animal owner may be directed to remove an approved service or comfort animal that is not housebroken, not under control, or determined to be a substantial and direct threat to the health and safety of individuals. Examples include a very sick animal, barking, a substantial lack of cleanliness of the animal, or the presence of an animal in a sensitive area such as labs, mechanical or industrial areas.
e. Owners will be held financially responsible for property or personal damages caused by an animal on Whitworth premises.
f. Employees and students may be subject to discipline for violations of this policy.

References

ADA 2012 Revised Requirements for Service Animals
www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights: Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html#cert

Service Animals v. Emotional Support Animals: Where they are allowed and under what conditions
https://adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet

Misrepresentation of a Service Animal (effective Jan. 1, 2019; monetary penalty noted under Section 5)
http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/House/2822-S.SL.pdf#page=1