Lions Tigers and Bears OH MY Service and
Lions, Tigers, and Bears – OH MY! Service and Assistance Animals in the Job Corps Program
Objectives § Identify the differences between a “service” animal and an “assistance” animal § Articulate the 2 inquiries that can be made to determine if an animal qualifies as a “service” animal § List several tasks that a service animal may perform for a person with a disability § Identify the related policy resources for completing the interactive reasonable accommodation process § Describe how center staff can prepare for the arrival of a service/assistance animal 2
Has your center ever had a service and/or assistance animal? Yes or No? 3
Service Animals 4
Question What are service animals? 5
Answer Service Animals Defined § A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. § Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals. 6
Question What are some tasks that a service animal may perform for a person with a disability? 7
Answer Service Animals Examples of Tasks - Assisting Pulling • a person’s wheelchair Fetching • or picking up an item for a person Assisting • a person who is blind or has low vision with navigation and other tasks • by providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to a person with a mobility disability 8
Answer Service Animals Examples of Tasks - Alerting • a person who is deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds (e. g. , when there is a knock at the door) • a person during a seizure (e. g. , stand guard over the person during a seizure, go for help, or predict a seizure and warn the person in advance to sit down or move to a safe place) 9
Service Dog Diabetes 10
Service Dog Seizure Disorder and MORE 11
Answer Service Animal Examples of Tasks - Other Interrupting Reminding Providing • for a person with psychiatric or neurological disorders (e. g. , interrupting selfmutilation for people with dissociative identity disorders) • a person with a psychiatric disability to take medicine or retrieving medicine • safety checks, or room searches, or turning on lights for a person with posttraumatic stress disorder 12
Service Dog PTSD 13
Question Must a service animal wear a vest or some other form of identification to show that they are a service dog? 14
Answer Service Animal Registration/Identification § Service dog handlers (the person using the service dog are not required to show any type of identification. § Service dogs are also not required to wear a vest. Many handlers, however, do use vests to show the general public that the dog is working and should not be petted or distracted. 15
Question Can a service animal be denied access to the center? 16
Answer Service Animals Access to Job Corps A center cannot deny an individual with a service animal access to the center. Such access is legally mandated. 17
Question What documentation can be requested related to a service animal? 18
Answer Service Animal Documentation § A Disability Coordinator (DC) must not ask about the nature or extent of a person’s disability, but may make two inquiries to determine whether an animal qualifies as a service animal: § Is the animal required because of a disability? § What work or task has the animal been trained to perform? 19
Question Who is responsible for the care and supervision of the service animal? 20
Answer Service Animal Care Responsibility The student is responsible for the care or supervision of the service animal. 21
Question What expectations can the center have for the service animal? 22
Answer Service Animals Expectations § The center can expect that the service animal: § is currently vaccinated against rabies § is within the student’s control at all times § is housebroken 23
Question Can a student’s service animal accompany the student in all areas of the center? 24
Answer Service Animals Access to Center Facilities A student with a service animal must be permitted to be accompanied by his/her service animal in all areas of the center where students are allowed to go. 25
Allergies or fear of dogs are valid reasons for denying access to a student using a service animal… Yes or No? 26
Question What if other students or center staff are allergic to or fearful of the service animal? 27
Answer Allergies to Service Animal Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access to a student using a service animal. 28
§ Suggestions for addressing issues related to allergies include: § Allergies (cont. ) § § § Try to keep the animal and staff/students who are allergic in different areas of the center and establish different paths of travel for each student Provide the student with a private room Use a portable air purifier and add HEPA filters to existing ventilation system Avoid use of common areas at the same time 29
Question How can center staff make sure they are prepared for the arrival of a service animal? 30
Answer Preparing for the Arrival of a Service Animal § A center cannot deny an individual with a service animal access to Job Corps as such access is legally mandated. A DC can contact the student prior to his/her arrival on center to § § § discuss the Job Corps environment and related behavior expectations of the animal ensure s/he is comfortable with the care and supervision of the animal discuss any accommodations that will be needed to allow the student to attend to these necessary tasks. 31
Question When may a service animal be excluded? 32
Answer Service Animal Exclusions § A service animal may no longer be allowed if the animal: § § is out of control and the student does not take effective action to control it; or is not housebroken. § In the event that the service animal is excluded, the student who uses the animal should be allowed to remain in Job Corps and may suggest alternative accommodations in lieu of the excluded animal. 33
Question Generally, may an individual bring his/her service animal into public establishments (e. g. , restaurants, medical offices, etc. )? 34
Answer Service Animals in Public Places Yes, service animals are permitted to accompany their owners into public places. 35
Question May an individual have his or her service animal live or stay with him or her in establishments even if there is a “no pet/animal” policy? 36
Answer Service Animals in “No Pet Policy” Locations Yes, individuals are permitted to have their service animal stay or live with them even in “no pet policy” locations. 37
Assistance Animals 38
Question What are assistance animals? 39
Answer Assistance Animals Defined § Assistance animals provide companionship, relieve loneliness, and sometimes help with depression and certain phobias, but do not have training to perform specific tasks that assist people with disabilities. § Consequently, these animals do not meet the definition of service animal. “Assistance animals” is a term that includes “emotional support” or “comfort” animals. 40
Question Does Job Corps allow assistance animals? 41
Answer Are Assistance Animals Allowed in Job Corps? § Job Corps will consider assistance animals as a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis (see Form 2 -03). § Consideration will be given to the § specific needs and request of the individual with the disability § the type of animal § the type of assistance it provides 42
Question What documentation can be requested related to an assistance animal? 43
Answer Documentation Needed for Assistance Animal § If the disability is not obvious and/or the reason the animal is needed is not clear, then documentation may be required to § establish the existence of a disability § the manner in which the animal alleviates one or more symptoms or effects of the disability § the necessity of the animal in order for the student to participate in Job Corps It will not be enough for the student to present a prescription or a letter from their doctor summarily stating that they require the animal while in Job Corps. 44
Question Who is responsible for the care and supervision of the assistance animal? 45
Answer Responsibility and Care/Supervision of the Assistance Animal The student is responsible for the care and supervision of the assistance animal. 46
Question What expectations can the center have for the assistance animal? 47
Answer Expectations for an Assistance Animal § The center can expect that the assistance animal: § is currently vaccinated against rabies, when appropriate § is within the student’s control at all times (e. g. , harness, leash, carrier) and that the animal’s behavior is appropriate § is housebroken 48
Question What should the RAC consider when reviewing a request for an assistance animal? 49
Answer Reviewing a Request for an Assistance Animal § During the RAC, discuss: § behavior expectations § the details of how the assistance animal will be cared for and monitored § any accommodations that will be needed to allow the student to attend to these necessary tasks § other specific accommodations needed by the student 50
Answer Documenting the RA Process § Document the RAC meeting § Create an accommodation plan for the student § Consider developing a plan of what was agreed to as far as care, behavior, and monitoring related to the animal 51
Question Can a center recommend the denial of a request for an assistance animal? 52
Answer Recommending Denial of an Assistance Animal § Each request should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. § The process of recommending denial of an accommodation request is outlined in Form 2 -03. § The DCs should contact their Regional Disability Coordinator if considering recommending the denial of a request for an assistance animal. 53
Question Allergies and Exclusions of an Assistance Animal What if other students or center staff are allergic to or fearful of the assistance animal and when can assistance animals be excluded? 54
Answer Allergies and Exclusions of an Assistance Animal § Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access to a student using an assistance animal in the same manner it was not valid for a service animal. § Suggestions for addressing issues related to allergies are the same as those previously discussed in relation to service animals. § Assistance animals may be excluded under certain circumstances, again, in the same manner as a service animal. (see Exclusions of Service Animals) 55
Question Generally, may an individual bring an assistance animal into public establishments (e. g. , restaurants, medical offices, etc. )? 56
Answer Assistance Animals in Public Places No, owners of public establishments do not have to permit entrance to an assistance animal. 57
Jeff & Kai Assistance Animal: Job Corps Scenario 58
§ Jeff is a 19 -yr-old applicant with anxiety disorder. § Jeff is requesting to bring his assistance cat, Kai, to center. Jeff & Kai § Jeff reports that Kai helps to relieve his anxiety. § Jeff’s Chronic Care Management Plan (CCMP) indicates that he needs to take breaks throughout the day, and will need to meet with the CMHC twice a month. § He has a letter from his doctor stating his support for the assistance animal for Jeff. 59
§ Jeff & Kai § What information do you need to know to make a decision regarding allowing the assistance animal to come with the student to the center? § Any specific documentation? § How will the animal be cared for and monitored? § What are the behavior expectations? Besides the assistance animal, what else do you need to consider? § General accommodations related to Jeff’s anxiety. Examples may include: § Breaks (can use anxiety reducing techniques taught by CMHC, etc. ) § Modified schedule (to see the CMHC) or the use of a special pass to Wellness 60
§ What should the RAC consider if others on center have severe allergies to cats? § Jeff & Kai Try and accommodate both the student who requires the cat and the student who is allergic. § § § Adjust schedules for classes, lunches Room in dorms not near each other Air purifiers/HEPA filters Student with cat wears clothes not stored in room OTC allergy meds if student willing § It may require that an accommodation plan is developed for those that have severe allergies to the assistance animal(s). 61
Martina & Beau Service Animal: Job Corps Scenario 62
Martina & Beau § Martina is a 26 year old applicant. Martina & Beau § She has diabetes and a muscle disorder that causes her to have difficulty in grasping objects. § Martina has a service animal, Beau alerts Martina to when her blood sugar levels move above or below normal ranges § She wants to complete an office administration trade. 63
§ What should be the next step(s) the center takes? § The center may only ask 2 questions related to a service dog! Martina & Beau § Is the animal required because of a disability? § What work or task has the animal been trained to perform? § Martina informed the center that Beau was a service dog and that he alerted her to changes in her blood sugar levels. § So, now what is the next step? § If Martina’s health care needs can be met on center, then the center must enroll her and allow Beau to be with her on center. 64
Poll Responses Review Let’s see what we have learned! 65
§ Best practices: § Note: These practices are not are part of making decisions related to a service dog. These are preparatory practices before the dog’s arrival. § Discuss the Job Corps environment and related behavior expectations of the animal. § Ensure the student is comfortable with the care and supervision of the animal. § Discuss any accommodations that will be needed to allow the student to attend to these necessary tasks. § Train students and staff on appropriate behavior regarding interaction with a service dog. 66
Resources 67
Information Notice 17 -05: Service Animals and Assistance Animals https: //supportservices. jobcorps. gov/disability/Pages/default. aspx 68
Service Animal Resources The following resources may be helpful in teaching staff/students how to interact appropriately with a service animal. Entity Guide Dog Foundation Anything Pawsable Resource Etiquette ad guide dog information, this page also links to other resources including resources for students, teachers and researchers, brochures, newsletters and a video are available. https: //www. guidedog. org/ Online magazine that provides resources created by the Service Dog community Provides dog news, disability news, events, training tips, interviews and personal stories http: //www. anythingpawsable. com/aboutus/ 69
Job Corps Disability Website https: //supportservices. jobcorps. gov/disability/Pages/default. aspx 70
Regional Disability Coordinators Boston Dallas Kristen Philbrook Alyssa Purificacion Olivas Philbrook. Kristen@jobcorps. org Philadelphia Purificacion. Alyssa@jobcorps. org Angela Jenkins Chicago Jenkins. Angela. K@jobcorps. org Sharon Hong. Sharon@jobcorps. org Atlanta and San Francisco Stephanie Karras. Stephanie@jobcorps. org 71
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