Service Dog Policy of Troy-Miami County Public Library

Approved: September 20, 2023

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, intellectual, or other mental disability is allowed inside library buildings or vehicles. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual's disability. TMCPL staff may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform.

A service animal is not required to wear a harness, tags or other information indicating that it is a service animal. TMCPL staff shall not require proof of certification or other such evidence of service animal status before permitting the service animal to accompany the person with a disability. In accordance with the ADA, TMCPL requires service animals to be under the control of their handlers. The TMCPL is not responsible for the care or supervision of service animals.

In accordance with the ADA, TMCPL may ask an individual with a disability to remove a service animal from the premises if:

The animal is out control and the handler does not take effective action to control it; or
The animal is not housebroken; or
The animal acts in a vicious or aggressive manner.

If an animal is properly excluded, TMCPL shall give the individual with a disability the opportunity to obtain services and accommodations without having the service animal on the premises.

Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition and are not allowed inside the library.

Other Guidance

In the event someone has severe allergies to animals or has asthma, the TMCPL staff will make a risk assessment in accordance with the criteria and procedures set forth herein. Staff shall take reasonable steps to ensure that any potential harm is minimized by moving affected staff or visitors to other areas or rooms, or by making other reasonable modifications. Care must be taken to ensure that any relocations of staff and the public are made without regard to disability, and that persons using service animals are not the individuals routinely asked to relocate.

All indoor areas of each establishment during business operating hours are included in this policy.

Special Events:

Special Events hosted by the TMCPL may include, at discretion of the Executive Director, dogs or other animals intended for educational/entertainment purposes and will include advanced notice to the public as well as posted signage the day of the event.

All TMCPL staff have agreed to the following:

Ask qualifying questions any time a patron enters the facility with a dog.
Lead by example, through consistent application of training.
Inform teammates of policies and practices, current and future.
Provide unobstructed access to goods and services for all, through fair and accurate information, to the best of my ability.
Continue learning and engaging in routine Service Dog Aware training.