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This online version is for convenience; the official version of this policy is housed in the University Secretariat. In case of discrepancy between the online version and the official version held by the Secretariat, the official version shall prevail.

Approving Authority: President

Original Approval Date: November 9, 1992

Date of Most Recent Review/Revision: January 6, 2020

Office of Accountability: Vice-President: Finance and Operations

Administrative Responsibility: Safety, Health, Environment and Risk Management (SHERM)

1.00 Purpose

1.01 The University regulates the presence of animals, including Non-Service Animals, Service Animals and Service Animals in Training at University Facilities in order to maintain sanitation, health regulations, and the health, safety and security of all Laurier employees, visitors, contractors, volunteers and other animals.

1.02 Laurier is committed to providing accessible services in accordance with Policy 8.10 Accessible Service Policy for Persons with Disabilities and the Integrated Accessible Standards 191/11 under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005; and the Blind Persons Rights Act, 1990 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, 1990.

2.00 Definitions

2.01 Disability: Has the meaning as defined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Policy on Ableism and discrimination based on disability, 2016

2.02 Handler: A person who has charge of a Non-Service Animal, Service Animal or Service Animal-in-Training. The handler may also be the owner.

2.03 Owner: The legal owner of the Non-Service animal, Service Animal or Service Animal-in-Training. The owner may also be the handler.

2.04 Non-Service Animal: Any domestic or tamed animal kept for companionship or pleasure

2.05 Restricted Area: Areas where research animals are handled, laboratories where biological, radioactive and chemical materials are stored, used or processed. Also, certain areas in the athletic facilities and other locations may be present concerns to health and safety.

2.06 Service Animal: as defined in Regulation 191/11: Integrated Accessibility Standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 or guide dog as defined by the Blind Persons' Rights Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.7

2.07 Service Animal-in-Training: An animal undergoing training by a Laurier- recognized service animal training program.

2.08 Student: Includes all undergraduate and graduate Students registered in a degree or certificate program at Laurier.

2.09 University Facility/Facilities: All buildings and grounds, owned, leased or operated by the University, including without limitation outdoor playing areas, athletic and recreational fields and all University residences and housing.

2.10 Employee: A person who performs work for wages in any capacity for the University. 

3.00 Jurisdiction/Scope

3.01 This Policy applies to all Laurier employees, students, and visitors while at University Facilities.

3.02 This Policy does not supersede or replace obligations the University has under applicable legislation or by-law, as well as contractual obligations for facilities leased or rented by the University.

3.03 This Policy doesn’t apply to animals used by the University for teaching or research which are covered in Policy 11.5 Use of Animals in Research, Testing, and Teaching.

4.00 Policy

4.01 Service Animals, Service Animals-in-Training and non-Service Animals brought onto a University Facilities shall be in compliance with all applicable relevant legislation and by-law.

4.02 Non-Service Animals

4.02.01 Non-Service Animals are not permitted in any building on property owned, leased or operated by the University, including when under restraint of a leash or other control.

4.02.02 The Owner of any Non-Service Animal brought to a University Facility will be held responsible for any costs or consequences of any damage caused by their animal and the Owner/Handler may be subject to discipline as warranted and appropriate under the circumstances.

4.02.03 Any violation of this section of the Policy should be reported to Special Constable Service.

4.03 Service Animals

4.03.01 The University welcomes Service Animals to all University Facilities in accordance with Policy 8.10 Accessible Service Policy for Persons with Disabilities.

4.03.02 Students requiring a Service Animal must register the Service Animal with the Accessible Learning Centre as an Accommodation in accordance with Policy 2.3 Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities.

4.03.03 Employees requiring a Service Animal must register the Service Animal with Human Resources in accordance with Policy 8.7 Employment Accommodation Policy for Service Animals.

4.03.04 Service Animal must be marked with a visual indicator such as a vest or harness indicating/demarking that the animal is a Service Animal.

4.03.05 Service Animals will not be permitted in Restricted Areas unless pre-approved through a risk assessment conducted by Safety, Health, Environment & Risk Management (SHERM). When Service Animals are not permitted in a University Facility due to health and/or safety concerns, the University will work with the person with a disability to address accommodation requirements.

4.03.06 The owner and/or handler must abide with all applicable University policies and requirements.

4.03.07 Any violation of 4.03 section with regard to Service Animals should be reported to the Equity and Accessibility unit, located in Human Resources. Immediate safety concerns should be reported to Special Constable Service.

4.04 Service Animals-in-Training

4.04.01 The University recognizes the importance of training future Service Animals and supports the presence of Service Animals-in-Training in all University Facilities, subject to prior written approval from the University Equity and Accessibility unit. All Students and employees wishing to bring a Service Animal-in-Training to in a University Facility must follow the Procedure for Registering Service Animals-In-Training.

4.04.02 The approved Service Animal-in-Training must be marked with a visual indicator such as a vest or harness indicating/demarking the animal is a Service Animal-in-Training and the Handler must carry Laurier issued identification for the Service Animal- in-Training.

4.04.03 The Service Animal-in-Training will not be permitted in Restricted Areas at any time.

4.04.04 Permission to bring a Service Animal-in-Training to a University Facility is at the University’s sole discretion. Any violation of these conditions in this Policy and procedures or the conditions set out in the registration may lead to revoking of the registration. Breach of this Policy or concerns with the behaviour of a Service Animal-in-Training should be reported to the Equity and Accessibility unit. Immediate safety concerns should be reported to Special Constable Service.

4.05 Pre-Authorized Exemptions for Special Events

4.05.01 There may be special circumstances where an individual or group wishes to request permission to bring a Non-Service Animal to a University Facility for an authorized event. The individual or group making the request must follow the established process and submit the Event Request Form to Safety, Health, Environment & Risk Management (SHERM) at least two weeks prior to the event.

4.05.02. The Owner/Handler of any Non-Service Animal authorized to be at a University Facility under 4.05.01 is responsible for the Non-Service Animal and all requirements set out in the Event Request Form.

Relevant Legislation

• Ontario Regulation 191/11: Integrated Accessibility Standards
• Dog Owners’ Liability Act, 1990
• Blind Persons Rights Act, 1990
• Ontario Human Right Code, 1990

Related Policies, Procedures and Documents

• 2.3 Academic Accommodation of Students with Disabilities
• 8.7 Employment Accommodation Policy
• 8.10 Accessible Service Policy for Persons with Disabilities
• 11.5 Use of Animals in Research, Testing, and Teaching
• Non-Service Animals – Event Request Risk Assessment
• Service Animals-In-Training Procedure
• ALC Registration for student accommodations
• HR Registration for workplace accommodations