Service Animals

The Department of Transportation ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.

Service animals perform some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself. Guide dogs are one type of service animal, used by some individuals who are blind. This is the type of service animal with which most people are familiar. But there are service animals that assist persons with other kinds of disabilities in their day-to-day activities. Some examples include:

• Alerting persons with hearing impairments to sounds.

• Pulling wheelchairs or carrying and picking up things for persons with mobility impairments.

• Assisting persons with mobility impairments with balance.

 A service animal is not a pet.

Service animals must remain on the floor without blocking the aisle or on their owner's lap.  If this is not an option, the service animal may occupy a seat provided one is available.  Riders with service animals may also ask the driver to make ADA priority seating available; seating can be folded up and a service animal may sit on the floor and not block the aisle.

A service animal shall be restrained with a harness, leash, or other tether, unless an individual’s disability precludes the use of a restraint or if the restraint would interfere with the animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks. If the animal is not tethered, it must be otherwise under the individual’s control, whether by voice control, signals, or other effective means.

UW Transportation Services is not responsible for the care or supervision of service animals. Individuals with disabilities are responsible for ensuring the immediate clean-up and proper disposal of all animal waste. Individuals must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including vaccination, licensure, animal health and leash laws, as well as the University of Wyoming’s rules in lease provisions regarding vaccination, licensure, leash control, cleanup rules, animal health, and community relationships.

Although the UW Transportation Services may not charge an individual with a disability a service animal, it may impose charges for damages caused by the animal in the same manner the University of Wyoming imposes charges for damages caused by individuals.

UW Transportation Services may exclude a service animal if the animal is not housebroken; causes substantial physical damage to the property of others; poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others; fundamentally alters the nature of a program or activity; or is not being cared for by the individual.

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