Just a reminder that according to our Rules of Conduct, service animals are allowed in the library. But you might be confused about how to know if an animal is a service animal or not, and what to do?
Service animals are usually only dogs (may be miniature horses). SO – if you see any animal other than a dog (or a miniature horse) in the library, please alert the customer that their animal needs to leave.
When you see a dog in the library, you can approach the customer and say something like, “I wanted to make sure you know, we don’t allow dogs in the library,” or, “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but we don’t allow pets in the library.”
The customer might respond in one of these ways:
A) I didn’t know – thanks for letting me know – we’ll leave right away.
B) If I take it outside – may I come back in?
C) This isn’t a pet, this is my emotional support/therapy/companion dog.
D) This is a service dog.
If their response is A or B, that is great! Thank them for their cooperation! If they refuse, you need to call a supervisor.
If their response is C – that their dog is an emotional support/therapy/companion dog, we do not allow those in the library and they will need to leave. If they refuse you need to call a supervisor.
Finally – if their response is D – we can tell them “Thank you for letting me know" and assume their statement is true.
However – it doesn’t stop there. Service animals must be in control of the owner at all times and should exhibit good behavior. They may not bark uncontrollably (unless that is their job), growl, snap, lunge at people, be away from the owner, urinate or defecate in the library, etc. Also, service dogs in training are not service dogs, but they are recognized as service dogs by the state if their trainer is present. So if someone tells you their dog is a service dog and then their dog runs around the library and is not under their control, they need to leave. Involve a supervisor if you need to.
Just a reminder – if the customer says they have a service dog they ARE NOT required to provide proof such as a prescription, paperwork, license, vest, harness, etc.
Finally - if another customer expresses concern or discomfort about the presence of a service dog, please help them find an area of the library where they can avoid the service dog. We will not require a service dog to be moved unless it has behavior issues and is being asked to leave.
For more information, please see this document that Sara Rose has developed which explains the ADA law and why how service animals are different from other animals. http://portal.pueblolibrary.org/sites/default/files/documents/ADA%20Animal%20Accomodations.docx
Also - here are some great websites:
https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html
https://adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet
https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
Service animals are usually only dogs (may be miniature horses). SO – if you see any animal other than a dog (or a miniature horse) in the library, please alert the customer that their animal needs to leave.
When you see a dog in the library, you can approach the customer and say something like, “I wanted to make sure you know, we don’t allow dogs in the library,” or, “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but we don’t allow pets in the library.”
The customer might respond in one of these ways:
A) I didn’t know – thanks for letting me know – we’ll leave right away.
B) If I take it outside – may I come back in?
C) This isn’t a pet, this is my emotional support/therapy/companion dog.
D) This is a service dog.
If their response is A or B, that is great! Thank them for their cooperation! If they refuse, you need to call a supervisor.
If their response is C – that their dog is an emotional support/therapy/companion dog, we do not allow those in the library and they will need to leave. If they refuse you need to call a supervisor.
Finally – if their response is D – we can tell them “Thank you for letting me know" and assume their statement is true.
However – it doesn’t stop there. Service animals must be in control of the owner at all times and should exhibit good behavior. They may not bark uncontrollably (unless that is their job), growl, snap, lunge at people, be away from the owner, urinate or defecate in the library, etc. Also, service dogs in training are not service dogs, but they are recognized as service dogs by the state if their trainer is present. So if someone tells you their dog is a service dog and then their dog runs around the library and is not under their control, they need to leave. Involve a supervisor if you need to.
Just a reminder – if the customer says they have a service dog they ARE NOT required to provide proof such as a prescription, paperwork, license, vest, harness, etc.
Finally - if another customer expresses concern or discomfort about the presence of a service dog, please help them find an area of the library where they can avoid the service dog. We will not require a service dog to be moved unless it has behavior issues and is being asked to leave.
For more information, please see this document that Sara Rose has developed which explains the ADA law and why how service animals are different from other animals. http://portal.pueblolibrary.org/sites/default/files/documents/ADA%20Animal%20Accomodations.docx
Also - here are some great websites:
https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html
https://adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet
https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm