Service Animal Policy

1.  Is the dog required because of a disability?

2.  What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

You may not ask any other questions. Please refer to the policy and call Accessibility Services for details if needed.

You should only ask questions if you have reasonable authority over the location and/or situation and knowledge of typical service animal trained tasks.

No, to learn more about service animals and examples of trained tasks please refer to our monthly Disability Trainings and see the Service Animal and Assistance Animal Policy.

No, an accommodation through Accessibility Services is not required for a service dog.

If the individual answers the two questions correctly and the dog exhibits appropriate behavior, the dog is considered to be a service animal.

No documentation or proof that the dog has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service dog is required. There is no official government registry of service dogs.

No, vests or harnesses are not required for service animals.  Some handlers choose to use them, however the presence of a vest or harness does not necessarily indicate that the animal is a trained service animal.

A service dog must be under the control of its handler at all times.  A person with a disability may be asked to remove their service dog from the premises if the animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it (for example, a dog that barks repeatedly during a class) or if the animal is not housebroken.  Observations of inappropriate behavior should be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students.

The professor, director or acting authority figure in the location and/or situation.

Yes, there is a $50 fine for the first offense and $100 fine for the second offense in the city of Bowling Green.  The handler of a service dog is responsible for cleaning up the animal’s waste, and should carry appropriate equipment for that purpose. 

City of Bowling Green Civil Offenses