Service animals play a crucial role in accommodating the diverse needs of our university community, including staff, faculty, students, and visitors.
Provincial Legislation on Service Animals
Ontario Regulation 191/11: Integrated Accessibility Standards states that an animal is a service animal for a person with disability if,
(a) the animal can be readily identified as one that is being used by the person for reasons relating to the person’s disability, as a result of visual indicators such as the vest or harness worn by the animal; or
(b) the person provides documentation from one of the following regulated health professionals confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability.
For a full list of regulated health professionals please read Section 80.45 of the IASR.
Service Dog Etiquette
A quick guide:
- Speak to the person, not the service animal.
- Don’t touch or distract the service animal while it’s working.
- Avoid calling or making noises to get the service animal’s attention.
- Don’t feed the service animal without permission.
- Give enough space for the service animal and handler to move comfortably.
- Understand that service animals are working animals, not pets.
- Respect the handler’s independence and only offer assistance if asked.
- Educate others about service animal etiquette to raise awareness!
Resource: Guide dog etiquette | CNIB