I think one must also consider the function of the service animal.  I commonly think of seeing eye dogs, but there are other types of services, such as detecting a diabetic reaction or seizure incidents or animals for PTSD therapy.  How far from the person can those animals be?  I don't know, just putting it out there.

 

Lucy Dillman

----- Original Message -----

From: Funck, Steven

To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU

Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2015 10:10 AM

Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Accommodations for a service animal in the lab

Victoria:  Several years ago at another institution. I did have this issue come up in a general chemistry lab.   We assigned the student to a group whose workstation was closest to the door and the dog stayed just inside the door while the student was working. The dog was not at the lab bench, the student partners took care of any needs there.  The biggest concern was broken glass fragments on the floor.  In that particular lab hazardous fumes where not an issue.  We did a walkthrough of the lab with both the campus disability coordinator and a representative from the local service dog organization to establish procedures and get their OK. It worked well.  Good Luck.

 

Steven S. Funck, MS, CSMM

Natural Sciences Laboratory Program Manager

Messiah College

One College Ave.

Suite 3049

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

 

Phone:  (717) 796-1800 (ext. 2079)

Fax: (717) 691-6046

SFunck**At_Symbol_Here**messiah.edu

 

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Victoria Carhart
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2015 12:00 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Accommodations for a service animal in the lab

 

I am trying to make accommodations for a service dog in teaching labs at the university. The students are required to wear closed-toe shoes and safety glasses as a minimum. We have a policy for service animals on campus, however, it doesn't really have any safety measures for the animals when they are in labs. Does anyone know of ways to keep the animal safe or have any experience with this type of situation? 

 

Thanks for any help you are able to give.

 

--

Victoria Carhart

Laboratory Safety Coordinator, CAS/RSENR

UVM's Risk Management and Safety

Environmental Safety Facility

667 Spear Street

Burlington, VT 05405

802-656-0872