Students with disabilities may use Service Animals or, when approved through the appropriate process, Support Animals on campus.
MiraCosta College's Administrative Procedure 3440: Service Animals on Campus outlines the college's process and expectations regarding Service Animals and Support Animals.
Understanding the distinction between these two types of animals can help students identify the appropriate process and resources available to them.
Students with Service Animals do not need authorization from SAS and are not required to register with SAS in order
to use a Service Animal on campus. However, students with Service Animals are welcome to connect with SAS if they would
like information about academic accommodations, services, or resources that may support
their success.
Students interested in requesting use of a Support Animal on campus must register with SAS and meet with a SAS counselor to explore their request related to this accommodation.
Through an interactive process, SAS will review available and may require additional documentation and discuss disability-related barriers, accommodation needs, and whether use of a Support Animal is appropriate in the educational environment.
A Service Animal is trained to perform specific tasks or work that mitigate the impact of a person's disability.
Students with Service Animals:
- Are not required to apply for accommodations through SAS in order to use a Service Animal on campus.
- May choose to connect with SAS if they would like information about additional accommodations or services that may be available.
Support Animals (sometimes called Comfort Animals or Emotional Support Animals) provide disability-related benefit through their presence.
Students requesting to use a Support Animal on campus must apply to SAS and participate in the SAS accommodation process before the animal may be authorized as an accommodation.
Support Animals mitigate disability-related impacts differently than Service Animals and are evaluated on an individualized basis through an interactive process with SAS.
Students requesting use of a Support Animal may also learn about additional accommodations and services that could support their access and success on campus.
Most students with Service Animals will be able to access campus programs, services, and activities without additional review. Students authorized to use a Support Animal should follow the accommodations process and any guidance provided by SAS regarding implementation.
In some situations, legitimate safety concerns, health and safety requirements, or essential course requirements may require additional discussion regarding the presence of a Service Animal or Support Animal in a particular setting.
Examples may include:
- Laboratory environments.
- Clinical, practicum, or field placement settings.
- Courses involving hazardous materials, equipment, or safety-sensitive activities.
- Situations where the presence of an animal may fundamentally alter the nature of a course, program, service, or activity.
Because each situation is unique, students, faculty, and SAS may need to work together to identify whether modifications, alternative approaches, or additional planning are appropriate.
Students are encouraged to contact SAS when questions arise regarding participation in a particular course, program, or campus environment.
Students and employees may find the following resources helpful:
Service Animals are generally permitted on campus and are not required to be registered through SAS. Support Animals are reviewed through the SAS accommodation process and require authorization before being used as an accommodation.
Faculty can support student access by:
- Recognizing that students with Service Animals are not required to register with SAS.
- Contacting SAS if questions arise regarding the presence of a Support Animal as an accommodation.
- Focusing on access and participation rather than the nature of a student's disability.
- Maintaining student privacy and confidentiality.
Safety and Fundamental Alteration Considerations
In some circumstances, legitimate safety concerns or essential course requirements may require additional discussion regarding the presence of a Service Animal or Support Animal in a particular setting.
Examples may include:
- Laboratory environments.
- Clinical placements.
- Courses involving hazardous materials or equipment.
- Settings where the presence of an animal may fundamentally alter an essential course, program, service, or activity requirement.
Faculty may also encounter situations where another student, employee, or participant has a animal allergy or other disability-related concern. In these situations, faculty should not independently exclude or deny access to the student with the service animal or support animal. Instead, faculty should contact SAS as soon as possible so that options can be explored to support access for all individuals involved. Depending upon the circumstances, solutions may include adjustments to seating arrangements, classroom locations, traffic flow, or other individualized measures.
Faculty should not independently deny access or make determinations regarding Service Animals or Support Animals without consultation.
Faculty partnership matters. Your collaboration helps support disability-related access while preserving the health, safety, and essential requirements of college programs and services.
Faculty who have questions or concerns regarding implementation, safety considerations, or possible fundamental alteration issues are encouraged to review Administrative Procedure 3440: Service Animals on Campus, consult the ADA Service Animal FAQ, and contact the SAS counselor listed on the student's accommodation form or SAS at (760) 795-6658 or sas@miracosta.edu for consultation and support.
