Policies: Service Animals

I. Policy Statement

It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire that service animals assisting individuals with disabilities are generally permitted in all facilities and programs on the UW–Eau Claire campus except as described below (see Section IV).

II. Definition

Service animal is defined as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching items. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a service animal has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals.

III. Requirements for Service Animals

Vaccination: Service animals must be immunized against diseases common to that type of animal. All vaccinations must be current. Dogs must wear a rabies vaccination tag [Wis. Stats. 95.21(2) (f)].

Licensing: The City of Eau Claire ordinance [6.04.010], following state law [Wis. Stats. 174.07(1)] requires all dogs to be licensed by the time they reach 5 months of age. Service dogs receive the license at no cost [Wis. Stats. 174.055].

Owner ID and Other Tags: The City of Eau Claire requires dogs to wear an owner identification tag and a current rabies tag at all times [6.04.020].

Leash: Service animals must be on a leash at all times, unless impracticable or unfeasible due to owner/keeper’s disability. [6.08.010].

Under Control: The owner/keeper of a service animal must be in full control of the animal at all times. The care and supervision of a service animal is solely the responsibility of owner/keeper.

Cleanup Rule: The owner/keeper of a service animal must follow the City of Eau Claire ordinance in cleaning up after the animal defecates [6.08.060].

Health: Service animals to be housed in University Housing must have an annual clean bill of health on file from a licensed veterinarian. 

Service Dogs in Training: Wisconsin law allows service dogs in training to be admitted to facilities open to the public. Service dogs in training must wear a harness OR leash and special cape and the trainer must present credentials for the dog issued by a school for dog training.

IV. When a Service Animal May be Asked to Leave or Prohibited in a UW–Eau Claire Facility or Program

A service animal may be asked to leave a UW–Eau Claire facility or program if the animal’s behavior or presence poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. For example, a service animal that displays vicious behavior towards people may be excluded.

Service animals may also be excluded in areas where the presence of a service animal fundamentally alters the nature of a program or activity or is disruptive. Examples may include, but are not limited to, research labs, areas requiring protective clothing, food preparation areas, and primate labs.

In addition, animals not covered under the service animal definition can be asked to leave a UW–Eau Claire facility or program. Questions related to the use of service animals on campus should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at (715) 836-3095.

V. Students

Student requests for disability accommodations, including requests to have a service animal accompany a student on campus, in classrooms and UW housing, are determined by the procedures detailed on the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) website, http://www.uwec.edu/SSD/services/index.htm through an accommodation request and review process. Students can reach the SSD office at 715-836-5800 or email ssd@uwec.edu.

VI. Employees

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire employees or applicants for employment requiring a disability-related accommodation, including having a service animal at work, should contact the UW-Eau Claire ADA Coordinator, Human Resources, Schofield Hall Room 220, 715-836-3095.

VII. Visitors

Service animals accompanying visiting individuals with disabilities are welcome in all areas of campus that are open to the public (except in situations determined to apply under section IV above). Specific questions related to the use of service animals on the UW–Eau Claire campus by visitors can be directed to the ADA Coordinator, Human Resources, 715-836-3095 or persnl01@uwec.edu or the Affirmative Action Officer at 715-836-2387 or Affirm01@uwec.edu.

VIII. Appeals and Grievances

Any student dissatisfied with a decision concerning a service animal can use the UW–Eau Claire pertinent ADA compliance grievance procedures:
https://kb.uwec.edu/article/grievances-and-complaints/

Any employee dissatisfied with a decision concerning a service animal can use the UW–Eau Claire pertinent ADA compliance grievance procedures:
https://kb.uwec.edu/article/policies-discrimination-harassment-and-retaliation-policy/

IX. Campus Resources

ADA Compliance Officer, Human
Resources Schofield Hall 220
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
(715) 836-3095
persnl01@uwec.edu

Services for Students with Disabilities
Centennial Hall 2106
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
(715) 836-5800
ssd@uwec.edu

Affirmative Action Officer
Schofield Hall 101
University of Wisconsin - Eau
Claire Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
(715) 836-2387
Affirm01@uwec.edu

X. Other Resources

U.S. Department of Justice, Information about the Americans with Disabilities Act
http://www.ada.gov/

Guidance on Service Animals in Public Places
http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm
http://www.petpartners.org/page.aspx?pid=302

City of Eau Claire Ordinances
https://www.eauclairewi.gov/government/code-of-ordinances