We are now starting to see service dogs appear in science classrooms as well. These resources are definitely the first stop. A few things
we have learned in the process:
1. Remember that a dog's environment is not the same as ours. We don't have to worry about hazards that may occur by sitting on the floor. These hazards are real for the dog. If footwear is required, the dog may not be used to wearing footwear. Same is
true for goggles or a maskÑgenerally, dogs don't like wearing clothes (none of mine ever did).
2. In a physics lab, it's tempting to think that if a laser is pointed toward the floor, the hazard of the beam to eyes is mitigated. It is
for humans, but it may not be so for the service animal. It's very easy to take the space below the waist for granted in a lab.
3. Remember these same issues apply to public lectures involving a scientific demonstration (such as at a conference).
Overall, our experience is that the best safety plan when it comes to service dogs is a conversation with the owner about the safety of the
dog and owner. Having this conversation ahead of time solves most of the issues.
Eddie McGrath
Edward J. McGrath
Supervisor of Science
Red Clay Consolidated School District
1502 Spruce Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 552-3768
We did not inherit the Earth from our parents. We borrowed it from our children.
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
On Behalf Of Samuella Sigmann
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2018 8:21 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Service dogs in labs
Hi Daniel - This topic has been covered on the list (http://www.ilpi.com/dchas/index.search). Our division has presented symposiums and has a published book
in the ACS Symposium Series on the topic (https://pubs.acs.org/isbn/9780841232761).
It is very confusing to me as to why the instructor canceled lab? The regulations are well established for accommodations of service animals (https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm).
I would suggest you consult with your institution's office of disabilities (may be another name at your school).
Sammye
On 9/7/2018 7:27 AM, DCHAS Membership Chair wrote:
From: Daniel Martinez <dangalvan81**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com>
Date: September 6, 2018 at 6:17:23 PM EDT
Hello,
My name is Daniel and I have lab safety question. One of our students brought a PTSD service dog to one of our physics labs. The instructor had to cancel lab until further notice. Could someone please share rules or regulations in terms of lab safety.
---
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We, the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do everything with nothing.
Teresa Arnold paraphrased from Konstantin Josef Jirecÿek (1854 - 1918)
Samuella B. Sigmann, MS, NRCC-CHO
Senior Lecturer/Safety Committee Chair/Director of Stockroom
A. R. Smith Department of Chemistry
Appalachian State University
525 Rivers Street
Boone, NC 28608
Phone: 828 262 2755
Fax: 828 262 6558
Email: sigmannsb**At_Symbol_Here**appstate.edu
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