Labs addressed for the purpose of this document are those labs that are identified as a hazardous environment that contain chemical, biological, radiological elements and/or physical shop labs.
In general, service dogs are allowed in Oregon State University (OSU) buildings, classrooms, labs, residence halls, dining areas, etc. (all areas of the facility) when the service dog is accompanied by their handler with a disability. Service dogs are not required to wear a vest or have a particular certification. On the other hand, emotional support or assistance animals (ESA) are not permitted to accompany a student into the lab or classroom environment unless specifically approved by DAS. An ESA is not a service dog as per the definition of the OSU’s Policy for Service and Emotional Support Animals.
There are certain circumstances where it is in OSU and the service dog handler’s best interest to follow specific protocols due to safety and health concerns. Any service dog in a lab environment must behave appropriately and safely per OSU policy as well as the guidelines below. The lab instructor may ask the student handler to remove the service dog from the lab environment if the service dog’s behavior does not adhere to safety protocols or creates an unsafe/disruptive environment.
Instructors who have lab courses are strongly encouraged to add the following wording to their course syllabus/information: Due to the nature of this class, any student with a disability who has and plans to bring their service dog to the lab needs to coordinate with the instructor and DAS as early as possible to ensure the safety of the service dog. DAS may partner with the OSU Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to ensure the safety of the animal as well. Students are strongly encouraged to connect with DAS once registered for the class, and no later than before the term begins to ensure all necessary precautions are taken prior to the first day of the lab.
Below are the guidelines for service dogs in hazardous lab environments.
Roles and Responsibilities
Disability Access Services (DAS):
- Coordinate with the student disclosing the need for a service dog in a laboratory.
- Facilitate student contact with instructor and appropriate lab manager.
- Meet with the instructor and student to identify appropriate expectations and protocol. recommendations around the service dog in the lab. This includes discussing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the service dog.
- Coordinate with instructor, student, and lab manager to visit the lab prior to the start of class, as needed.
Instructor/Lab Manager:
- Contact, as needed/required, the OSU Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) regarding lab protocols to address a possible hazardous environment.
- Work with the student, DAS, and as needed EHS, to develop a plan to ensure the safety of the service dog and others within the area while the student handler is participating or working within a hazardous environment. The plan will include emergency spill response measures, PPE selection, and other control measures, as necessary.
- Any list given to all students regarding required PPE should also include a list of required PPE for any student bringing a service dog to the lab. Instructors can work with DAS on the wording of these service dog PPE requirements.
- Coordinate with DAS and the student to visit the lab prior to the start of class, as needed.
- Discuss location of the student station and location for the service dog whether this is in the lab, or another agreed upon location.
- Monitor the environment and respond to any disruptions by discussing the situation with the student.
- Contact the DAS office to report or discuss behavioral problems or safety concerns regarding the service dog.
Student/Service Dog Handler:
- Students who require the use of a service dog in hazardous environments assume responsibility for all risks involved in the use of their service dog in lab areas, including the risk of exposure to hazardous items to their service dog.
- The student will need to work with the instructor and DAS to develop a plan to ensure the safety of the service dog and others within the area while the student is participating or working within a hazardous environment. The plan will include emergency response measures, PPE selection, and other control measures, as necessary.
- Follow OSU’s policy for service animals on campus (OSU’s Policy for Service and Emotional Support Animals).
- Connect with DAS prior to the start of the laboratory class.
- Meet with the instructor and/or lab manager prior to the beginning of the term to discuss expectations and protocol recommendations per the information in this document.
- Discuss location of student station and location for the service dog whether this is in the lab, or another agreed upon location.
- Ensure the service dog is well-behaved and does not cause a disruption, distraction, or injury to others in the area. The service dog should not interfere with the ability of others to use the space.
- Pay for any damage to the facility and/or equipment caused by the service dog.
- Provide any necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) for the service dog.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Service Dogs
Service dogs in labs should be “wearing” at least the equivalent PPE that is required for students to wear when attending/participating in the lab. If appropriate PPE for the service dog is not brought to the lab by the student/handler, the service dog will not be permitted into the laboratory. Any PPE worn by the service dog will be purchased by the student/handler and may include the following:
- Protective foot booties (Pawz Rubber Dog Boots)
- Protective laboratory coat (Maytex)
- Safety glasses/goggles or mask
- Any other personal protective equipment as needed.
- Disposable plastic-backed absorbent lab paper or pet pads for the service dog to lie on during lab to protect them from whatever might be on the floor.
- Tent or other covering for the service dog during class.
- In the event of a spill, the Spill Response protocol outline by OSU Environmental Health and Safety should be followed.
Behavior Expectations of Service Dogs:
- Follow OSU’s policy for service animals on campus (OSU’s Policy for Service and Emotional Support Animals); As a reminder, below are key requirements for service dogs in labs.
- If the service dog is present in lab, the service dog must be trained to “stay” and “leave it” (or equivalent behavior).
- The service dog must not vocalize, bark, or growl inappropriately.
- If the service dog is trained to alert by vocalizing, the instructor/lab manager must be aware of the circumstances under which the service dog would vocalize. Disruptive, extended vocalizing or barking will not be permitted, unless in proper context.
- The service dog must not behave aggressively towards other people – snapping, snarling, growling, charging, swiping, etc.
- The service dog must not jump up on other people.
- If the service dog displays any of these behaviors, the service dog will not be permitted in the laboratory until documented and demonstrated re-training has occurred.
- Individuals in the laboratory will be informed there is a service dog present and that the service dog should not be interacted with during lab time and interactions can only occur with permission from the student/handler.
How to participate in lab when environment is deemed unhealthy or not safe for the service dog:
- Discuss with lab manager and DAS options for student participation if the service dog is not in the lab.
- Discuss options for service dog placement if not in the lab, such as placing the service dog behind a removable gate or in a pen in an adjacent room or area away from hazardous materials.
REFERENCES
OSU’s Policy for Service and Emotional Support Animals
University of Maryland: Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Service animals in labs
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Requirements for Service Animals