A person with a disability has a general right to privacy about the disability and cannot be asked about the nature or extent of the disability. Service animals are defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act as a dog, or, in more limited cases, a miniature horse, which has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person's disability. The dog must be trained to take specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability.

However, state law defines a service animal as any animal that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Service animals, which include guide and signal dogs, are allowed to go anywhere the general public or student is allowed to go with few exceptions. If admitting service animals would fundamentally alter the nature of a service or program, service animals may be prohibited. In addition, if a particular service animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, or if it is not housebroken, that animal may be excluded.

Unlike federal law, state law extends legal rights to service animals in training and the trainer must be present with the animal in training. Gateway staff may ask a trainer for certification of the training from a school for training service animals. Gateway can also require that an animal in training wear an identifying cape or vest.

There is no requirement under state or federal law that a service or support animal be documented in an official registry or wear an identifying vest or identification tag. In addition, students may voluntarily register their service animal with Student Accommodations and Accessibility Services and include their animal on their accommodation plan.

Emotional support, therapy, comfort and companion animals are not service animals and are not allowed inside buildings except under specific college-approved circumstances such as when the college brings in therapy dogs during finals week.

Service animals must always be under the control of the handler, and the handler is solely responsible for all care of the animal. Gateway employees should not inquire about a service animal unless the animal is disruptive, acting dangerous or otherwise presents a health or safety concern. In such cases, the Gateway employee should contact security and file a Maxient report.

Employees, including campus security, may ask two questions of a person with a service animal: “Is the service animal required because of a disability?” and “What work or tasks has the animal been trained to perform?”

Wisconsin law prohibits the following conduct toward a service animal: intentional or reckless harassment, injury or death of service animals.

Questions about service animals can be directed to the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights at compliance@gtc.edu or 262-564-3062. Complaints about service animal discrimination or harassment are handled under policy H-110: Equal Opportunity, Civil Rights and Sexual Harassment and can be filed online.