Service Animals Assisting Individuals with Disabilities
Northern Essex Community College generally permits service animals to accompany individuals with disabilities in all campus facilities where members of the public are allowed.
Please Note: NECC reserves the right to restrict service animals to maintain safety or avoid disrupting operations. This policy applies only to facilities owned or controlled by NECC. Non-college facilities (such as hospitals, science labs, or internship sites) follow their own rules, which NECC does not control.
“Service Animal” Defined
The Americans with Disabilities Act’s regulations define “service animal” as 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, or intellectual disability.
Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. However, in certain instances, the use of other animals as a service animal may be permitted under other laws, so please consult with Janet Rene, ADA/Section 504 Coordinator at 978-556-3953, or email: jrene@necc.mass.edu.
Approved Tasks vs. Non-Qualifying Roles
The work performed by a service animal must directly relate to its handler’s disability.
Qualifying Tasks: Navigational guiding for blind or low-vision individuals, alerting deaf or hard of hearing individuals to sounds, pulling wheelchairs, retrieving medicine or phones, assisting with physical balance, and interrupting impulsive behaviors for neurological/psychiatric conditions.
Non-Qualifying Roles: Serving as a crime deterrent. Emotional support, comfort, or companionship (often called “therapy” or “companion” animals) do not qualify as service animal tasks under the ADA.
Rules & Requirements for Service Dogs
Consistent with Massachusetts state law, all service dogs on campus must meet the following baseline health and licensing criteria:
- Possess a valid animal license in compliance with state law.
- Be properly immunized and vaccinated.
- Wear a current license tag and rabies vaccination tag.
Recommendation: It is highly recommended that the animal wear a recognizable symbol (like a vest) identifying it as a service animal, though certification documentation is not required.
Permissible Campus Inquiries
To determine if an animal qualifies, college staff may only ask two questions:
- Is the animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
Staff will never inquire about the nature or extent of your disability. These questions will not be asked if the dog’s task is already obvious (such as guiding a blind individual or pulling a wheelchair).
Voluntary Registration on Campus
When practicable, individuals are requested to notify the college prior to bringing a service animal on property. Handlers will be asked to fill out a voluntary, confidential Service Animal Registration Form (PDF).
Please contact the appropriate office based on your role:
- Students: Contact the Center for Accessibility Resources & Services (Behrakis Student Services Center, Rm SC111) at centerforaccess@necc.mass.edu or 978-556-3654.
- Employees: Contact the Human Resources Department (General Services Building, B219) at hr@necc.mass.edu or 978-556-3000.
- Visitors: Contact the Public Safety Office:
- Haverhill – the Public Safety Office is located on the first floor of the Spurk (C) Building, Rm C112. To reach Public Safety call 978-556-3333 or dial ext. 3333 from any campus phone.
- Lawrence – Public Safety staff are always available at 414 Common Street, first floor. To reach Public Safety call 978-556-3333 or dial ext. 3333 from any campus phone.
- General Policy Questions: Direct specific inquires to Janet Rene (ADA/Section 504 Coordinator) at 978-556-3953 or jrene@necc.mass.edu.
Handler Responsibilities & Care
The college is not responsible for the care or supervision of a service animal. Handlers must adhere to the following rules:
- Control: The animal must always be under the handler’s control via a leash or tether. If a disability prevents a leash, or if a tether interferes with the dog’s work, the handler must control the animal via voice commands or signals.
- Health & Hygiene: Animals must be clean, regularly groomed, and free of fleas to keep odors to a minimum. If an animal’s odor is disruptive, the handler may be asked to bathe the animal before returning to campus.
- Waste Cleanup: Handlers must clean up after their animal immediately. If a disability prevents this, the handler must arrange for alternative assistance.
Conditions for Animal Exclusion
The college may ask a handler to remove a service animal from the premises if the dog:
- Is out of control and the handler takes no effective action to stop it.
- Poses a direct threat to campus safety or interferes with the educational process.
- Is not housebroken, appears ill, or has a recurring offensive odor.
- Is missing its proper licensing or vaccinations.
If an animal is excluded, the individual with a disability will still be given full opportunity to participate in campus programs and activities without the animal present.
Campus Etiquette Rules for the Public
To ensure service animals can focus on their jobs, all students, staff, and visitors must avoid the following actions:
- Do not pet a service animal, as it distracts them from their work.
- Do not feed a service animal.
- Do not deliberately startle, call, or attempt to attract the attention of the animal.
- Do not attempt to separate a service animal from its handler.
Grievances & Discrimination Complaints
If you believe your rights regarding the use of a service animal on college property have been violated, you can file an official complaint under the College’s Affirmative Action Plan.
Please contact the Affirmative Action Officer:
Elizabete Trelegan
Phone: 978-556-3928
Email: etrelegan@necc.mass.edu