Service Animals

It is the policy of the University to afford individuals with disabilities the use of service animals when necessary to facilitate their full participation and equal access to the University’s programs, services, and activities. This policy was revised in Fall 2024 to align with revisions made by the Washington State Legislature regarding service animals in training, providing clarifications of definitions and responsibilities.

Animal Definitions & Access

Assessing Service Animal Status

University personnel must permit service animal access with the handler when it is readily apparent that the animal is trained to do work or perform tasks for the handler. Examples include a dog guiding an individual who is blind or has low vision, pulling an individual’s wheelchair, or providing assistance with stability or balance to an individual with an observable mobility disability.

If the need for the service animal is not apparent, University personnel may ask only the following of service animal handlers:

• Whether the service animal is required because of a disability; and
• What work or task the animal has been trained to perform.

The following may not be requested:

• Information on the nature of the individual’s disability
• Medical information or documentation
• Documentation or proof that the animal is a service animal
• Demonstration of the animal’s ability to perform tasks

If the handler states the animal is required because of a disability and that the animal has been trained to do work or a task for the handler, then the service animal must be admitted. If there is doubt that an animal is a service animal, University personnel should admit the animal and then consult with the ADA Coordinator regarding future access.

Handler’s Responsibilities

Handlers are a person with a disability that a service animal or emotional support animal assists, a personal care attendant who handles the animal for the person with a disability, or a person training a service animal. More details are shared in the policy. Handlers are responsible for the following:

• Keeping the animal under direct control at all times (e.g. by harness, leash, tether, voice control, signal, or other effective means)
• Ensuring that the animal is not disruptive to learning, living, and working environments
• Cleaning up after the animal immediately and disposing of waste and debris promptly
• Preventing the animal from entering any pond, fountain, or stream located on University premises
• Complying with any relevant city, county, and state ordinances, laws, and regulations pertaining to licensing, leash, vaccinations, and other requirements for animals
• Dealing with any damage or injury caused by the service animal
• The cost of care, arrangements, and well-being of the animal

Access to Environments

Workplace Environments

Employees who use a service animal and intend to bring them into the work place will need to gain access by requesting an accommodation. Employees should contact the local HR resource or Disability Services Office (DSO) to get this process started.

Academic Environments

Service animals are permitted in any buildings or locations where the student with a disability is allowed access. Students who use service animals are not required to register the animal with the University. Students may, however, contact their designated disability services office for assistance with proactively informing other University employees – such as faculty, advisors, or building coordinators – that the service animal is granted access.

Housing Environments

Student requests to use service animals in University housing must be made through the appropriate housing office or designated disability services office.

Restrictions & Removal

Restrictions on Access

An animal may be restricted from specific areas of the University when consistent with other University policies, state, and/or federal laws/regulations. More details are shared in the policy. Examples of these areas may include:

• Food preparation areas;
• Animal research facilities and grounds;
• Medically sensitive patient and clinic areas; and
• Biologically sensitive or hazardous research sites.

If a animal is restricted from certain areas, the designated disability services offices are available to assist in evaluating reasonable accommodations for the handler.

Removal of Animals from University Facilities

University personnel may order a handler to remove the handler’s animal from University premises for the following reasons, with more details shared in the policy:

• Abandoned Animal
• Direct Threat
• Not Housebroken Animal
• Out of Control Animal
• Unhygienic Animal

If required to remove the animal, the handler must be offered the opportunity to return to the University premises or the immediate area without the animal and be provided with reasonable assistance at that time to participate in the University service or program.

Designated Disability Service Offices

• Disability Service Office: For members of the public, all University employees, and nonmatriculated students enrolled at UW Seattle
• Disability Resources for Students at Seattle: For matriculated students enrolled at UW Seattle and for students in University housing
• Disability Resources for Students at Bothell: For all students enrolled at UW Bothell
• Disability Resources for Students at Tacoma: For all students enrolled at UW Tacoma

Resources