Service Dogs Welcomed Everywhere

The University of Florida allows the use of trained service animals by individuals with disabilities in all public areas at the university.

Service animals are defined by the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, on March 15, 2011, as dogs trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.

Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair or equipment for someone with a mobility disability, alerting or protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medicine, calming a person with PTSD, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

Service Dogs in Training

Florida State Statute 413.08 (8) provides the same protections to the service dog in training and trainer and both are allowed in all public spaces within the University of Florida.  The service dog in training shall:

• Unlike trained service dogs, a service dog in training shall be identified with a vest or other marker that clearly identifies the dog as a service dog in training.
• The service dog in training shall behave, and under the control of the handler at all times (on leash or harness).