Adding a service animal to your team can be challenging, but in our handy guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about integrating a service animal into the office.
Meet the dog
Although service animals cannot be excluded unless their presence would fundamentally alter the nature of services or create an undue burden, it may be helpful for handlers to introduce the service animal to the workplace prior to its first day (though not required). Take the time to assess the dog’s behavior, and the handler’s ability to control it. Some considerations to include in the assessment:
- Does the dog meet the criteria required to be considered a service animal?
- What task has it been trained to do?
- What modifications may be needed to be made in the office to accommodate the animal (potty areas, office space, etc.)?
Let your employees know beforehand
While it is not appropriate to discuss the service animal and its handler individually, managers can advise all employees about service animals, their purpose, what the law requires, and the expectations of the team and their behavior. Advising staff in advance about service animals, what to expect if they encounter one, and what the "Do's and Don'ts" are will go a long way. People will appreciate the advance warning and be much more amenable to the change in the office dynamics.
Allow employees to voice their concerns to you so that you can address any complications that may arise from having a service animal present. For example, a colleague with an allergy may have concerns about dander. In this case, it is best to follow the Department of Justice's (DOJ) FAQ for service animals. Seperating employees with allergies from areas where service animals are present is permitted.
Handling animal dander allergies
Unfortunately, animal dander allergies affect 30% of Americans, so it’s quite likely you’ll find someone in the office who lives with allergies. Some peoples’ allergies are manageable with medication or simply just avoiding the dander, but others may have more severe reactions.
The best way to manage employees with allergies and a service animal is to accommodate them by providing separate areas for them to work. Consider keeping one room or one section of the office separate for the dog and its handler, or perhaps for those with allergies to the dander.
Nevertheless, you may refuse a service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act if it causes “the nature of your business to change, or if it will cause your company undue hardship.” For example, if an older employee has severe allergies and you work in a small office, a service animal might not be acceptable. In situations like this, you may be able to refuse the service animal. Keep in mind, however, demonstrating that an animal would alter the nature of services is difficult to do, and the DOJ has expressed their expectations consistently that the burden is a high bar to meet. Organizations should exhaust any and all remedies to accommodate the animal.
For example, in the DOJ's Frequently Asked Questions, examples are given for when and where service animals are not permitted. The threshold to prove that the service animal is a burden is very high. Service animals, as long as they are under control, are generally permitted even in places like hospitals and ambulances, unless it can be proven that their presence would interfere with the care of the patient. Organizations should keep that threshold in mind before denying a service animal accommodation.
Behavior and socialization
Service animals are usually highly trained, so you won’t have to worry too much about behavior if the handler controls them well. Also, service dogs are well-socialized very young so that they can handle busy environments, machinery, other animals, crowds, and most noises.
Also, remember that service animals are trained for the purpose of being discreet and well-behaved, so they aren’t likely to cause a problem in the workplace as long as they are under control.
Comments