Warwick Public Library Guidelines for Individuals with Service Animals
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals and those in training with their handlers, are welcome and permitted in all Warwick Public Library buildings. Per ADA, a service animal is a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. No other animals, including pets, emotional support animals, and therapy animals need be permitted.
In order to help maintain a pleasant, productive, and safe environment for all Library users and staff, the following behavioral guidelines for service animals are to be observed:
- A service animal must be registered and licensed by the city in which the owner or keeper of the animal resides, as is required under State of Rhode Island Statute §4-13-4 and Warwick City Ordinance 18-1(1).
- A service animal must be in physical proximity with its handler and under the handler’s control at all times. A service animal may never be left unattended.
- A service animal must be on a leash or harness at all times, unless use of a restraint interferes with the animal’s effective performance of its designated task(s). If the animal cannot be leashed or harnessed it must be under the handler’s control via voice, signals, or other effective means at all times.
- A service animal must not display disruptive behavior, such as barking or growling, and must conform to Warwick Public Library Use and Behavior Policies.
- A service animal must be housebroken and its handler is responsible for any clean-up caused by the animal.
- NOTE: If a service animal’s behavior or actions pose an unreasonable or direct threat to the health and safety of others or does not conform to these guidelines, it may be prohibited from entry to any and all Warwick Public Library buildings. In accordance with ADA guidelines, non-compliance of guidelines can be grounds to remove a service animal from the Library. If the animal is excluded from the Library, the handler, who has the disability, is welcome to stay and will be reasonably accommodated by Warwick Public Library staff.
[10-2018]