Policy on service animals

UT Medicine will reasonably accommodate patients and visitors with service animals. This policy is intended to comply with federal and state guidance, including the ADA Regulations and Texas Disability Assistance Animals.

UT Medicine is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all patients, staff and visitors, including those who use service animals.

This policy applies to all UT Medicine staff.

• Service animal: An animal (generally a dog) specially trained or equipped to perform tasks directly related to a handler’s disability
• Emotional support animal: Animals whose sole function is emotional support, therapy, comfort or companionship; these are not considered service animals under this policy 

• Individuals bringing a service animal onto UT Medicine premises are expected to:
• Keep the animal harnessed, leashed or tethered unless this interferes with the animal’s work or the handler’s disability prevents it
• Control the animal by voice, signal or other effective methods if it cannot be leashed
• Supervise, control and care for the service animal, including removal from the premises 
• UT Medicine may coordinate alternative care at the handler’s expense if needed.

Staff may not ask:

• About the qualifications of the service animal or the nature of the person’s disability
• For medical documentation, identification cards or training documentation
• For the service animal to demonstrate its tasks 

Staff may ask if the disability is not apparent:

• Is the animal required because of a disability? 
• What work or tasks has the animal been trained to perform? 

• Service animals may accompany their handler in areas open to the public.
• Access to areas not open to the public is determined case-by-case by UT Medicine.
• Service animals may not enter sterile areas (operating rooms, procedure rooms, recovery rooms) where special precautions are required. 

Service animals may be removed if they:

• Are out of control and the handler does not manage them
• Pose a direct threat to health or safety 
• Are not housebroken
• Show aggressive behavior (biting, excessive barking, growling, scratching, etc.) 
• Are excessively noisy 
• Are not well-groomed or appear unhealthy (proof of vaccination or health records may be requested)

• Emotional support animals provide comfort but do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. 
• Emotional support animals are not allowed on UT Medicine premises. 

• If a service animal must be removed, the handler may re-enter the premises without the animal unless other circumstances prevent it.