Animal Policy for Practices, Competitions and Events

Special Olympics Northern California (SONorCal) has the following policy for pets and other animals at practices, competitions and other SONorCal-sanctioned events. A “service animal” is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as “a DOG that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.” Pets providing emotional support, comfort, companionship or well-being are NOT recognized as service animals under ADA regulations.      – CA Health & Safety Codes: 113903 and 114259

• Only service dogs are allowed within the practice, competition or event premises. The premises are defined by SONorCal Staff and/or volunteers responsible for the practice, competition or event.
• Individuals choosing to bring a non-service animal (dog or otherwise) to a practice, competition or event may NOT bring the animal into the premises in any manner.
• Individuals choosing to bring a non-service animal to a practice, competition or event must make their own arrangements for the animal. SONorCal staff, coaches, volunteers and Games Management Team members are NOT responsible for any care of, or arrangements for, the animal.
• Per ADA Guidelines, available at ADA Requirements: Service Animals, service dogs:
  • Are allowed to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is allowed to go,Must be under the control of its handler,
  • Must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of tasks.
• A person with a disability can NOT be asked to remove their service animal from the premises unless:
  • The dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, or,
  • The dog is not housebroken.

When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, SONorCal must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal’s presence.

• When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. SONorCal Staff, coaches, volunteers, and Games Management Team members may ask two questions:
  • Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and,
  • What work or task has the dog been trained to perform.

Staff may NOT ask about the person’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.

By attending a practice, competition or other event, athletes, coaches, parents and spectators have agreed to abide by this policy. SONorCal reserves the right to dismiss individuals from any SONorCal event for violation of this Animal Policy.