9
Service Animals
B. A policy regarding the entrance of service animals into the facility
should include the following information:
1. A clear definition of " service animals" that should be consistent with the ADA
(http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm). The facility is not required to
permit animals in training to become service animals to enter the facility, but may
choose to do so, reserving the right to exclude such animals at its discretion.
2. A statement that only dogs and miniature horses are recognized as service animals
under federal law.
3. A statement that service animals are NOT pets and should NOT be approached,
bothered, or petted.
4. A statement that the care of the service animal is the responsibility of the patient
or his or her designated visitor (ie, it is not the responsibility of the healthcare
facility's personnel). If the patient is unable to arrange for the care of the service
animal while in the facility, the animal should not be permitted to remain.
5. Notification of IPC that an inpatient has a service animal, followed by discussion
with the patient to make sure the service animal complies with institutional policies.
6. A requirement that service animals be housebroken.
II. Persons with disabilities may be requested but not required to
have their service animal wear an identification tag (eg, collar,
tag, etc.) that identifies them as a service animal to aid HCP in
distinguishing service animals from pets.
III. Situations in which a service animal may be excluded from
the healthcare facility include the following:
A. The animal exhibits aggressive behavior such as snarling, biting,
scratching, or teeth baring.
B. The animal is excessively noisy (eg, howling, crying, or whining).
C. The animal is unable to properly contain bodily excretions (eg, the
animal is not housebroken, or has vomiting or diarrhea).
D. If the facility's personnel reasonably believes that a service animal is
infectious or ill (see Animal-Assisted Activities, Section III.H.1.b and
c for examples), the animal should not be allowed to remain with the
person with a disability until the animal is evaluated by a veterinarian
and he/she provides written certification, acceptable to the healthcare
facility, that the service animal does not pose an increased risk to
patients or staff.
