Service Animal Policy

To provide a framework for managing and accommodating service animals on Seneca Polytechnic property, while considering the needs of all members in the Seneca community.

This policy applies to students, employees, contractors, suppliers of services, volunteers and visitors.

Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, congenital disability or illness. 

Physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device; a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability.

A learning disability or dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language.

A mental disorder, or an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received through an insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

Unwanted interaction with others, such as barking, growling, biting, or aggression; disturbing the personal belongings of others; blocking an aisle or passageway for fire and/or emergency exits.

A person in charge of a service animal. Typically, this is the individual who the service animal is assisting.

Any external private business, public organization or institution that engages students and/or employees in Seneca-sanctioned activities, including but not limited to, work-integrated learning and clinical placements, professional development, business collaborations or other partnerships.

Real property that is owned, operated or managed by Seneca, as well as all personal property provided by Seneca to enable study and work to be performed.

An animal is a service animal for a person with a disability, if:

1. it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to their disability; or
2. the person provides a letter from a regulated health professional confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability.

Any of the following regulated health professionals can provide documentation in support of an individual's need for a service animal: 

1. Audiologists
2. Speech-Language Pathologists
3. Chiropractors
4. Nurses
5. Occupational Therapists
6. Optometrists
7. Physicians
8. Physiotherapists
9. Psychologists
10. Psychotherapists

The animal is required to be easily identifiable as relating to the disability (e.g., it is a guide dog or other animal wearing a vest or harness).

If the service animal cannot be easily identifiable, documentation from a regulated health professional may be required.

A pet is not a service animal.

1. Seneca is committed to the principles of accommodation for individuals with disabilities through the presence of service animals.
2. Seneca will allow service animals to accompany a partner/handler on Seneca property in areas where students, employees and visitors have access.
3. Students involved in learning activities at Seneca-approved work or clinical placements with a partner organization will respect the partner organizations’ service animal policies and/or guidelines.

1. Student requests for a service animal on Seneca property are made to Accessible Learning Services. (See Appendix C)
2. Employee requests for a service animal on Seneca property are made to Human Resources. (See Appendix D)
3. Authorization must be obtained for every service animal accompanying a student or employee on campus.
4. If requested, students and employees must provide medical documentation by a regulated health professional within their scope of practice to verify the requested accommodation for a service animal. 
5. Medical verification from a regulated health professional does not need to specify the diagnosis, but needs to identify the partner/handler’s accommodation.
6. Student and employee partners/handlers will be issued documentation confirming the approval of a service animal on Seneca property.
7. Subject to the Campus Access Policy, an individual, group or partner organization may seek approval from Seneca to bring an animal or a group of animals on Seneca property that does not meet the definition of a service animal.

1. A service animal must always be under a partner/handler’s full control.
2. If a service animal must be left alone at any time, the partner/handler must provide an appropriately sized enclosure in good repair and arrange hotelling arrangements for the animal. 
3. The partner/handler must ensure a service animal is trained not to exhibit disruptive behaviour. 
4. The partner/handler must restrain their service animal with a leash or harness unless the animal is confined to an enclosure.
5. The partner/handler is responsible for the health and well-being of a service animal including:
   • providing food, water and exercise breaks 
   • ensuring the service animal is clean, well-groomed and in good health 
   • immediately cleaning up and disposing of the service animal’s waste appropriately
6. The partner/handler is responsible for the costs of any damage and is liable for any injuries caused by a service animal while on Seneca property.
7. Disruptive situations involving service animals on Seneca property will be directed to Security Services and/or Residence Life where appropriate.

1. Abuse or harassment of any animals on Seneca property is strictly prohibited.
2. Members of the Seneca community will respect a service animal and its partner/handler by refraining from distracting, feeding or touching the service animal.

1. A service animal is not permitted to be in culturally or religiously sensitive areas or areas where food is prepared, presented, packaged, transported, manufactured or handled.
2. Where Seneca can demonstrate that a service animal poses a health or safety risk, it reserves the right to deny the request to have the animal on Seneca property or in any specific areas of concern.
3. A service animal may be excluded from Seneca property when any of the following conditions exist:
   • the service animal is disruptive and is not under the control of the partner/handler
   • the service animal’s presence, behaviour or actions pose a direct threat to property or the health or safety of others 
   • when there is legislation that states an animal must be excluded
4. If a service animal is excluded for any reason, the partner/handler will be given the option to participate in an activity or receive services without the service animal.

1. Disputes about the appropriateness of an accommodation, service quality or service animal exclusion are addressed by Accessible Learning Services for students and Human Resources for employees.
2. Concerns about medical conditions negatively affected by exposure to a service animal are addressed by Accessible Learning Services for students and Human Resources for employees.

• Appendix A: Functional Limitations Assessment Form for Students
• Appendix B: Health Professional Assessment Form for Employees
• Appendix C: Student Checklist for use of a Service Animal on Campus
• Appendix D: Employee Checklist for use of a Service Animal on Campus
• Appendix E: Summary of Management and Care Responsibilities of a Service Animal’s Partner/Handler
• Appendix F: Student Responsibilities and Conditions for Living with a Service Animal in Residence
• Appendix G: Service Animals in Residence – Roommate Agreement

• Accessibility Policy
• Accessible Learning Services Policy
• Campus Access Policy
• Occupational Health and Safety Standard
• Respectful Workplace Policy
• Return-to-Work Policy
• Student Code of Conduct

• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 11
• Blind Persons’ Rights Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.7
• Canadian Human Rights Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. H-6
• City of Peterborough By-Law Number 21-112
• The City of Vaughan By-Law 066-2020, Animal Control
• Dog Owners' Liability Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.16
• Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7
• Integrated Accessibility Standards, O. Reg. 191/11
• Ontario Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19
• Postsecondary Education Standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
• Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c. 13
• Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 349, Animals
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, C. 16, Sched. A

Approval Date: April 2025