Pets and Service Animal Policy

It is the goal of Hunter Library (Library) to be an inclusive and welcoming environment where individuals with disabilities may fully participate in educational programs and activities.  The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for patrons seeking to bring animals into the library building.

A. DEFINITIONS

The term “pet” shall mean a domestic animal kept for pleasure or companionship. A pet is not considered a service animal or an emotional support animal.

The term “emotional support animal” or “ESA” any animal that: (i) alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability; (ii) is necessary because of an individual’s disability to afford the individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the library; and (iii) its presence is a reasonable accommodation. An Emotional Support Animal is not a Service Animal under this policy or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The term  “service animal” shall mean dogs and miniature horses who are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. The work or tasks performed by a Service Animal must be directly related to the Partner’s disability, and such work or task must entail a specific action when needed to assist the Partner. Examples of qualifying tasks for which services animals may be trained include guiding persons with low vision, providing stability for persons who have difficulty walking, alerting persons with hearing impairments when someone is approaching from behind, and responding to medical emergencies for persons with seizure disorders.

B. POLICY

1. Pets are not allowed inside the library building per University Policy 82, Section IX. Any individual who permits a pet to enter the library, will be asked to leave.
2. Emotional Support Animals shall not be permitted in the library building without prior approval from Office of Accessibility Resources for students, or Human Resources for employees.
3. Service animals are always welcome at Hunter Library; individuals with service animals are entitled to the same services and resources as other library patrons.

Library staff are permitted to ask the following questions:

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

A Service Animal must be under the control of their handler at all times. A Service Animal must not show aggression toward people or other animals and may not bark, growl or whine unless trained to do so as a warning sign to the handler. The Service Animal shall not solicit food or other items from the general public and do not disrupt the normal course of business.

If service animal misbehavior occurs, the handler and Service Animal will be asked to leave by Library staff.

Updated and Approved by Library and Legal 8 October 2019