During a public health emergency or disaster, staff may not: ask about the person’s disability; require medical documentation, a special identification card, or training document for the dog; or ask the dog to demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task. When it’s not obvious what task is being performed by a service animal, staff may ask only two questions

1.       Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and

2.       What work or task the dog has been trained to perform.

Service animals are to accompany the individual with a disability in all areas of the medical facility where health care personnel, visitors, and patients are normally allowed during inpatient services, unless the animal’s presence or behavior creates a fundamental alteration in the nature of a facility’s services in a particular area or a direct threat to other persons in a particular area.

·         A “direct threat” is defined as a significant risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be mitigated or eliminated by modifying policies, practices or procedures.

A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his or her service animal from the premises unless the dog is not housebroken, is out of control, or if the handler/owner does not take effective action to control the service animal.

It may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from limited access areas that employ general infection control measures, such as operating rooms and burn units, where the animal’s presence may compromise a sterile field environment.

·         Fear and allergies are not valid reasons for denying access to a service animal or refusing service to people using service animals

Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or if an individual’s disability prevents using these devices. The handler/owner must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal or other effective controls.

DETAILS AND RESTRICTIONS AT COLE AESTHETIC CENTER

Services animals required by a person with disabilities will be restricted to a canine breed only. Any patient who is receiving surgical services, or services in a required sterile environment, or is in an area that has restricted access to the general public, will need to leave their animal off premises. Potential separation from owner to service animal will be discussed with the patient to discuss anticipatory care or needs that they will need to arrange during their services are our practice. Service dogs must remain with its owner at all times while at Cole Aesthetic Center unless they have been arranged a separation off site. Areas of accompaniment include the lobby, exam rooms, and other public accessible areas within the facility.