Service Animals

There is a relatively new official policy for service animals on campus - everyone should review the full policy in order to take the proper steps if there is an issue with an animal in the Library.  Pets clearly are not allowed,  and while my own impulse is to say, "can I play with your puppy or kitten?" that's really not what we should do! 

https://policy.uncg.edu/university-policies/animals_on_campus/

For public service - I'm including in this post a particularly useful part of the policy for public service.  If you ask someone to remove an animal that appears to be a pet, and the owner says the animal is permitted, there are definite restrictions on how we can respond.  From the policy: 

Additionally, UNCG faculty and staff cannot ask about the nature or extent of a person’s disability to determine whether a person’s animal qualifies as a TAA. If it is not apparent that the animal is a TAA, The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has directed two inquiries may be made to determine whether the animal qualifies as a TAA, which are:

• Is the animal required because of a disability?
• What specific work or tasks has the animal been trained to perform?

All UNCG community members should comply with OCR guidelines:

• Do not challenge a person’s right to have a Guide Animal or Trained Assistance Animal on campus grounds or in campus facilities.
• Do not pet a Guide Animal or Trained Assistance Animal.
• Do not feed a Guide Animal or Trained Assistance Animal.
• Do not deliberately startle, tease, or taunt a Guide Animal or Trained Assistance Animal.
• Do not separate or attempt to separate a person from his/her Guide Animal or Trained Assistance Animal.

Let Mary know if there are any questions or issues.