Animals on Campus

FAQ Overview

This FAQ provides a general overview of Animals on Campus as covered in College Procedure 6.5P. This document is not intended to supersede or supplement existing rules and procedures, but merely to serve as a helpful guide for the Santa Fe College community. In the event that the Animals on Campus rule or procedure is modified, the terms of that rule or procedure will govern expectations for Animals on Campus, rather than this summary document. Additional information about service animals on college property is available through SF's Disabilities Resource Center.

What is a service animal?

A service animal is an animal (dog or miniature horse) that is trained or is in training to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.

I am a student/guest. May I bring my service animal to campus?

Of course! Santa Fe College is committed to providing individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to access College property, courses, programs, activities, and employment. Any student or guest seeking to bring a service animal to a Santa Fe College property is welcome to do so without prior approval from the College or documentation that the service animal is trained to perform its duty.

I am a college employee. May I bring my service animal to campus?

Santa Fe College is committed to providing individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to access College property, courses, programs, activities, and employment. Employees of the college who are requesting a service animal as a reasonable accommodation under the ADAAA are required to first engage in the interactive process which can be initiated by contacting the College’s Equity Office.

Equity Office and Title IX Coordinator
3000 NW 83rd Street, R-Annex, Room 113
Gainesville, FL 32606
352-395-5950
equity.officer@sfcollege.edu 

I will be bringing a service animal to campus. What types of questions should I be prepared to answer about my service animal?

The College reserve the right to ask the following two questions about service animals on campus: 1) Whether the animal is required because of a disability, and 2) What type the work or task the animal has been trained to perform. 

Are there areas on campus where service animals may NOT be allowed?

Service animals are restricted from the following areas:

• Teaching laboratories (except when arrangements can be made to ensure that the animal’s presence poses no health or safety risk. The arrangements may include, but not be limited to wearing protective gear, booties, goggles, etc. or identifying a location in the lab where the service animal will stay, away from potential spills or other risks);
• Energy or maintenance control areas.
• Areas where protective clothing is required.
• Any areas where the presence of a service animal would pose a danger to the service animal, handler, or other individuals (such as in areas in which heavy equipment or machinery is used).
• Any areas that are subject to restrictions outside of the control of the College (such as construction sites).
• Food preparation areas.
• Certain areas of the SF Teaching Zoo.
• Any area as prohibited by law.

May I take my service animal into the teaching lab with me?

While service animals are typically restricted from teaching labs on campus, service animals may be permitted in teaching laboratories when arrangements can be made to ensure that the animal’s presence poses no health or safety risk. These arrangements may include, but are not limited to, the handler purchasing and the service animal wearing protective gear, booties, goggles, etc. or identifying a location in the lab where the service animal will stay, away from potential spills or other risks.

What is expected of service animals and their handlers while on campus?

At all times, the well-being of the animal is the sole responsibility of the handler.

• Handlers must always maintain control of their animal, using a harness, leash, or other tether while on College property. If the animal is barking or demonstrating aggressive or threatening behavior and the handler is unable to take effective measures to gain control, the College reserves the right to have the animal removed from campus.
• Handlers must never leave animals unattended on College property.
• Handlers may not leave the animal tied or tethered to any College property. This includes buildings, railings, bike racks, fire hydrants, fences, signposts, benches, or trees.
• Animals may not be left in vehicles, be outside of the control of their handler, or be allowed to run freely anywhere on campus.
• To the extent possible, handlers should alleviate any disruption or interference caused by the animal to College activities including but not limited to teaching, services, or administrative activities.
• The handler is also responsible for properly cleaning up any waste created by the animal and is responsible for any property damage or injuries caused by the animal. Should the handler not take appropriate precautions to prevent property damage or injury to the College community, the handler may be asked to remove the animal from College property and may be subject to action under applicable College policies and the law.
• A handler must also carry adequate waste removal devices or disposal bags to remove any excreta deposited by the animal.

Who should I contact if I see an unattended animal on campus?

SFPD should be contacted immediately to report unattended animals on campus.

What happens if an unattended service animal is found on campus?

Should any animal be found unaccompanied, the animal may be subject to removal by SFPD, Alachua or Bradford County Animal Services, or persons trained in animal handling, and the handler may be subject to action under applicable College policies.

What is an emotional support animal?

An emotional support animal (also known as assistance, comfort, and/or therapy animal) is an animal that an individual uses solely for emotional support, well-being, or comfort. It does not qualify as "service animals" and is prohibited from entering all SF buildings. 

May I bring my emotional support animal or pet to SF?

While there are a few designated spaces where emotional support animals and pets are permitted on campus, emotional support animals and pets are prohibited from entering any of the SF buildings. Designated spaces where emotional support animals and pets are permitted include the exterior region of the campus and centers, athletic areas south of South Road on the Northwest Campus as well as the open field north of O building on the Northwest Campus. 

What happens if I take my emotional support animal or pet inside an SF building?

Emotional support animals or pets are not allowed in any of SF buildings. Students who violate this policy may be charged with misconduct and subject to sanctions as outlined in the Student Conduct Code (College Rule 7.23). Even more, The College reserves the right to request that any animal be removed from College property if the animal does not meet the definition of a service animal.

Which animals are allowed in SF buildings?

Service animals, Counseling and Wellness Center therapy animals, Laboratory animals, Police animals and SF Zoo animals are the only animals allowed in SF buildings. These animals are allowed only under the direction and control of designated faculty and staff members.

Where are the designated spaces in campus where emotional support animals and pets are permitted?

Designated spaces where emotional support animals and pets are permitted include the exterior region of the campus and centers, athletic areas south of South Road as well as the open field north of O building. Even when in these areas, the animal handler must maintain physical control of their animal when in a public space and must also carry adequate waste removal devices or disposable bags and remove any excreta deposited by the animal.

I have seen some dogs (e.g. Beaux and Marco) inside R building. Why is my pet/emotional service animal not allowed to enter any SF building, while those animals are?

The SF Counseling and Wellness Center has Therapy Animals (e.g. Beaux and Marco) that are engaged by the college’s licensed mental health Counseling Specialists in connection with providing mental health services to SF students. The College has proof of liability insurance and up-to-date vaccination records of these animals on record, and the handlers accompany the animals whenever they are on campus.

I have seen animals with the police in various buildings. Why is my pet/emotional service animal not allowed to enter any building, but those animals are?

Police animals are specifically trained to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel. Police animals are allowed on campus under the direction of the Santa Fe College Police Department Chief, Institute for Public Safety Director, or their designees.

Could a service animal be removed from campus?

In very rare cases, the College may require that service animal be removed from campus. The College makes such determinations on a case-by-case basis and makes every effort to work with the handler to determine a reasonable alternative accommodation that will allow the handler equal access to academic programs, activities, or employment responsibilities. Some circumstances that could warrant the removal of a service animal include:

• If the service animal is found by the College to be out of control and the animal’s handler does not take immediate and effective action to control the animal.
• If the animal is not housebroken/properly trained.
• If the service animal is physically ill.
• If the service animal is unreasonably dirty.
• If the service animal attempts to enter a place on campus where the presence of the service animal causes danger to the safety of the handler or other individuals.
• If the service animal enters a prohibited area.
• If the service animal is, or could be, in danger.
• If the service animal is left unattended.

What if being in the same room with a service animal threatens my health as a student?

The College will work to accommodate the needs of the handler and the person negatively impacted by the service animal, when possible. Students who experience an adverse reaction like, fear or allergy, because of regularly scheduled contact with another individual’s service animal should contact the Disabilities Resource Center (DRC) at 3000 NW 83rd Street, building S, Room 229 Gainesville, FL 32606; Voice/TTY 352-395-4400; Fax 352-395-4100.

The DRC staff will assist in resolving any issues relating to conflicting disabilities.

What if being in the same room with a service animal threatens my health as an employee?

The College will work to accommodate the needs of the handler and the person negatively impacted by the service animal, when possible. Employees who experience an adverse reaction, like fear or allergy, because of regularly scheduled contact with another individual’s service animal should contact the College’s Equal Opportunity Officer and Title IX Coordinator 3000 NW 83rd Street, R-Annex, Room 113; Gainesville, FL 32606; 352-395-5950; equity.officer@sfcollege.edu.

The Equal Opportunity Officer and Title IX Coordinator will assist in resolving any issues relating to conflicting disabilities.

Who do I contact if I feel I have been unfairly denied access to College property due to the presence of a service animal or have been discriminated against based on a disability?

You may file a complaint under College Rule 2.8 by contacting the College’s Equal Opportunity Officer and Title IX Coordinator. Contact Information and Resources:

Equal Opportunity Officer and Title IX Coordinator
3000 NW 83 Street, R-Annex, Room 113
Gainesville, FL 32606
352-395-5950
equity.officer@sfcollege.edu

Disabilities Resource Center
3000 NW 83 Street, Building S, Room 229
Gainesville, FL 32606
Voice: 352-395-4400
Fax: 352-395-4100
drc@sfcollege.edu
sfcollege.edu/drc