Skip to main content

Explore Programs

  1. Home
  2. Police
  3. Animals on Campus

Metropolitan Community College (MCC) is committed to providing equal access for individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Nebraska law.

To help maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all students, employees and visitors, animals are not permitted on MCC campuses, facilities, or vehicles except for approved service animals accompanying individuals with disabilities.

Animals should never be left unattended in vehicles while on campus.

Service animals are generally permitted in all areas where the public is allowed unless the animal's presence would create a safety concern or fundamentally alter the nature of a program or activity.

All applicable state and local licensing and vaccination requirements must be followed.

What is a Service Animal?

Under the ADA, a service animal is a dog, or in limited circumstances a miniature horse, that has been individually trained to perform specific work or tasks for a person with a disability.

Examples of service animal tasks include:

  • Guiding individuals who are blind or have low vision
  • Alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing
  • Assisting with mobility or wheelchair support
  • Retrieving items
  • Alerting to seizures, blood sugar changes, or allergens
  • Interrupting self-harming behaviors

Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort, companionship, or emotional support are not considered service animals under the ADA.

Emotional Support and Therapy Animals

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and therapy animals are not service animals under the ADA and are not permitted on MCC campuses, facilities, or vehicles.

Responsibilities of Service Animal Handlers

Individuals using service animals are responsible for the care and control of their animals at all times.

Service animals must:

  • Be under the handler's control at all times
  • Be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless those devices interfere with the animal's work or the individual's disability
  • Be housebroken
  • Behave appropriately in public settings

MCC does not provide care, supervision, feeding, or veterinary services for service animals.

When a Service Animal May Be Asked to Leave

MCC may require a service animal to be removed if:

  • The animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it
  • The animal is not housebroken
  • The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others

if a service animal must be removed, MCC will work to provide access to programs, services, and activities without the animal whenever possible.

Registering Your Service Animal

Students who use service animals are not required to register with Disability Support Services (DSS). However, voluntary registration is encouraged to help facilitate support, communication, emergency planning, and resolution of access-related concerns.

Questions?

For questions regarding service animals or accessibility accommodations, please contact: