# College won't let me enter till my Service Dog "registered" with them. Need Ans. Fast **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 5, 2013, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569 "2013-12-05T13:35:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/21 "2013-12-05T17:21:24Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > If your service dog qualifies under the ADA as a service dog, I imagine there are plenty of lawyers in New York who would happily sue the college for you. For what? It appears the college is allowed to require registration of service animals under the law, unless I misread the citation upthread. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/22 "2013-12-05T17:21:59Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > I think he wants to avoid registering himself as a “disabled student,” which is apparently what is required. I wouldn’t be happy to do that either. Where do you get that idea? He said “must register my service dog” and mentioned needing to put its license on its collar. That’s generally required for all dogs, service or not. “New York State law requires that all owned dogs be licensed and the NYC Health Code §161.04 require every dog owner to have a dog license tag attached to their dog’s collar while in public.” From [here](http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/environmental/dog-license.shtml). ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/23 "2013-12-05T18:09:09Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > For what? It appears the college is allowed to require registration of service animals under the law, unless I misread the citation upthread. \*\*Snerky Snerk’s \*\*citation of the law says that the college can’t ask for certification that the dog is a service animal, but they can ask for evidence that the OP is disabled. Unless the college doesn’t even do that, but just wants an official list of people with service dogs. In which case, all he has to do is get onto the list. > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The OP didn’t say but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the college charges a substantial fee for this registration. Colleges have students locked into the system for an education and use that to force students to pay a variety of mandatory fees for services that are often overpriced and unwanted. I don’t think the ADA regs would allow that. I’m not going to dig through them, but I’d really be surprised if that was legal. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/24 "2013-12-05T18:28:52Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Where do you get that idea? He said “must register my service dog” and mentioned needing to put its license on its collar. That’s generally required for all dogs, service or not. “New York State law requires that all owned dogs be licensed and the NYC Health Code §161.04 require every dog owner to have a dog license tag attached to their dog’s collar while in public.” From [here](http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/environmental/dog-license.shtml). From **Snerky Snerk’s** post: “Students who use a service animal may be required to contact the school’s Disability Services Coordinator to **register as a student with a disability**. The Coordinator will evaluate the student’s documentation of disability and discuss appropriate accommodations, including the assistance of a service animal.” I interpreted this to mean that the dog is licensed with the city and wears a service vest: “College security cop now decides I must register my service dog (license on collar and in wallet; “Service Dog” vest on), or else considered “pet” and not allowed in building.” But perhaps he does mean the opposite. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/25 "2013-12-05T18:32:20Z")
You have three choices. Register your dog, enter the college without your dog, or don’t enter the college. Boy, that sure was rough. P.S. Walkers don’t shit on the floor, bark at people, or bite. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/26 "2013-12-05T18:52:50Z")
Logically, you’d think there would be a safeguard against people claiming pets are service dogs. But the ADA is federal and supersedes local laws, so I think he’s got a case. It does leave a lot of room for people to lie, but it is what it is. [http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm](http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm) ---
**Author:** ![MyMack\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MyMack\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyMack_1)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/27 "2013-12-06T04:19:05Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > P.S. Walkers don’t shit on the floor, bark at people, or bite. Never met a service dog who did any of those things. By and large service animals are very well trained and quite amazing in what they do for their handlers. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/28 "2013-12-06T04:39:54Z")
There are confusing, and conflicting, federal requirements about service animals on college campuses. In addition to the [Americans with Disabilities Act](http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm), there is also [Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act](http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html), and the [Fair Housing Act](http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/hce/housing_coverage.php) (university housing), among others. I suggest the OP look at several other _documented_ university policies and go from there (picked at random): [ul] [li][University of Chicago](http://disabilities.uchicago.edu/service-animal-policy)[/li][li][Missouri State University](https://www.missouristate.edu/policy/Op5_05_7_ServiceAnimal.htm)[/li][li][University of Massachusetts, Amherst](http://www.umass.edu/disability/serviceanimals.html)[/li][/ul] FWIW, it appears a university can have some sort of registration policy. As for any other public accommodation ADA is quite clear of your rights with a service animal. ---
**Author:** ![DataX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/29 "2013-12-06T05:21:06Z")
In addition to what Duckster posted - you might want to read… [http://www.princeton.edu/ogc/whats-new/NACUA-Notes-March-16-2012](http://www.princeton.edu/ogc/whats-new/NACUA-Notes-March-16-2012) It seems to greatly depend on what you are trying to do, but I’m not sure why you would think registering a service animal is illegal. Are they charging you for it? Your rights under the ADA aren’t absolute and dogs can be kicked out if they don’t behave or you can’t control him/her. It is not unreasonable for the college to have a list of who own what dog in case one escapes and/or bites someone. A lot of the stuff regarding testing you or the dog is BS though. That being said, even under the most stringent reading of the ADA - they can at least ask you two questions (unless it is obvious) - if the dog is related to a disability - and what task the dog performs. In some cases they can’t ask you this, but it is totally reasonable to have a list of which dogs are allowed. That way you won’t be bothered the rest of the year. Do you really think that the “service vest” means anything? Do you really want every tom, dick, and Harry bringing their pet to class? If it isn’t a pet - go over and register your dog. I don’t get why you would think a college is an appropriate place for an animal that wasn’t a legitimate service dog. If they aren’t doing at least some sort of registration - then all you have is a college that is allowing pets in class. I would not want to go to such a college. Campus security shouldn’t be deciding who has the right to have a dog there - and who doesn’t - if you register your dog - you won’t have to worry about it anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/30 "2013-12-06T05:30:09Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > La Guardia Community College, part of City University of New York. > > Thing is, final exams next week. Prof. Witness to summons/ticket issuance. > > WTF? What do I do? > > Leo You register the dog, take your exams and quit whining. That was easy. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/31 "2013-12-06T05:54:47Z")
I’m really confused about why registering a service animal would be objectionable. > [@MyMack\_1](#): > > Never met a service dog who did any of those things. By and large service animals are very well trained and quite amazing in what they do for their handlers. Legitimate service dogs are usually very well-trained. A pet dog that someone claims is a service dog because they want to take them around may not be. Related, but not relevant–my son had his appendix out today, and as we were heading to the waiting area during his surgery, we saw a horse in the hallway! Except it wasn’t a horse. It was one of the biggest Great Danes I’ve ever seen, with a stunning silver-grey coat who works as a therapy dog. What a beautiful pup! (My son is fine, btw) ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/32 "2013-12-06T08:57:55Z")
The way I see it you may or may not have a case but finals are next week and pursuing the case may mean missing finals. Sometimes it is better to just give in and register the dog. Missing out on a semester may not be worth proving that you are in the right. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/33 "2013-12-06T10:12:37Z")
> [@MyMack\_1](#): > > Never met a service dog who did any of those things. By and large service animals are very well trained and quite amazing in what they do for their handlers. Well, duh, which is why service animals are allowed in, but pet Pitbull Fido isn’t, and why the college wants to know which is which. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/34 "2013-12-06T16:50:27Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > I’m really confused about why registering a service animal would be objectionable. It’s because the “dog” is actually a really hairy little person who happens to be an expert in the subject matter of the OP’s exams. (j/k ;)) ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/35 "2013-12-06T20:01:38Z")
We’ve gone through disability service dog school for one of our dogs. The school sounds definitely in violation of the poster’s rights as granted by the ADA. There is no federally sanctioned paperwork, vest, or attire required to be carried or shown. Requiring some sort of school’s custom registration for access to the grounds would definitely be a deliberate willful restriction of access. This causes problems in the community when people will just fake a vest and patches for their pet purse-dog “Fifi”, claiming it’s a service animal. It is hard to prevent someone from mis-representing themselves as disabled, and it is a very contentious topic in the community. Our instructor highly recommends patches, “official looking” papers, a copy of the ADA, and a lawyer’s letter to be carried at all times with the dog in case people try and deny access. These are really just for show for people ignorant of the access rules though, we’ve occasionally had to “flash our badge” for restaurants and other areas. Air travel is much more unpredictable, but as long as the service animal has room out of the aisleways then they also have the right to fly with the owner. Anyway…call a lawyer and get a nice firm letter presented to the college to educate them on your rights. Don’t frustrate yourself fighting it alone. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/36 "2013-12-06T21:19:37Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > From **Snerky Snerk’s** post: > “Students who use a service animal may be required to contact the school’s Disability Services Coordinator to **register as a student with a disability**. The Coordinator will evaluate the student’s documentation of disability and discuss appropriate accommodations, including the assistance of a service animal.” > > I interpreted this to mean that the dog is licensed with the city and wears a service vest: > “College security cop now decides I must register my service dog (license on collar and in wallet; “Service Dog” vest on), or else considered “pet” and not allowed in building.” > But perhaps he does mean the opposite. I don’t think that’s necessarily the school’s policy. The link from **Snerky Snerk** isn’t to the school’s website, it’s to a site for service dog owners and the section quoted is that site’s interpretation of the ADA regulations. Looking at the school’s website, posted by **Jamaika a jamaikaiaké** , it appears that students do not have to inform the university if they have a disability. However, they do need to if they want to receive accommodations. So maybe the question is whether a service dog counts as an accommodation? ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/37 "2013-12-06T21:24:37Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Honest question for those who oppose any type of registration or documentary proof: what means could, or should, a school use to prevent people from bringing their pets to class? None. Why the fuck should they? It’s a dog, not a grenade launcher. If you mistakenly exclude service dogs without “proof”, you could give an undeserved failing grade to a disabled person, or worse. If you mistakenly allow a “pet”… well, there’s no downside. I feel dogs should be allowed anywhere kids are. Kids are louder, dirtier, smellier, more destructive, and allowed almost everywhere. Not to mention service dogs actually serve a useful purpose. Your kids are just hanging around. If anybody ever gets excluded from anywhere because some power tripping bureaucrat demanded “proof” that their service dog wasn’t “just” a pet, that’s too damn many. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/38 "2013-12-06T21:33:41Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > . . . I feel dogs should be allowed anywhere kids are. Kids are louder, dirtier, smellier, more destructive, and allowed almost everywhere. . . . . Speaking as a past reentry student who had to pay through the nose for child care - you’re not making your case. Children are generally not allowed in classrooms. Individual teachers may allow it, especially if it isn’t a regular thing, but if anyone complained, there wouldn’t be a service toddler list that they could get onto. You’d just be asked to leave. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/39 "2013-12-06T21:37:48Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Speaking as a past reentry student who had to pay through the nose for child care - you’re not making your case. Children are generally not allowed in classrooms. Individual teachers may allow it, especially if it isn’t a regular thing, but if anyone complained, there wouldn’t be a service toddler list that they could get onto. You’d just be asked to leave. Fair enough. I meant it in the general case, like pets at restaurants and parks. For service animals in particular though, you really should give them the benefit of the doubt. The downside of mistakenly excluding a disabled person is much bigger than the downside of letting somebody sneak their pet into finals. Err on the side of compassion. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569/40 "2013-12-06T21:58:02Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > We’ve gone through disability service dog school for one of our dogs. The school sounds definitely in violation of the poster’s rights as granted by the ADA. There is no federally sanctioned paperwork, vest, or attire required to be carried or shown. Requiring some sort of school’s custom registration for access to the grounds would definitely be a deliberate willful restriction of access. The only paperwork mentioned in the OP was a dog license. And that’s required for any dog, service or not. So what’s the problem? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-wont-let-me-enter-till-my-service-dog-registered-with-them-need-ans-fast/675569.md?page=3)