Aberdeen service animal policy allows for dogs, miniature horses, but not comfort animals
Aberdeen has adopted a policy governing the allowance of service animals in city buildings and controlled-access recreational facilities.
The Aberdeen Parks Board approved the policy Wednesday during its monthly meeting. City Attorney Ron Wager said it has already been approved by the city manager for city buildings.
In explaining the policy, Wager showed a pamphlet that was created to outline how city employees should address requests from people wishing to use service animals inside city buildings or parks facilities like the aquatics center.
Wager said the policy gives employees and community members clear guidance as to what is allowed and the questions employees can ask about the service animal, which can be either a dog or a miniature horse.
According to the policy other animals like cats, pigs, ferrets, rabbits, birds, lizards or reptiles cannot be service animals.
Employees are allowed to ask if the service animal is required because of a disability if that disability isn't readily observable and what tasks the animal has been trained to perform. But they cannot ask specifics about a person's disability, nor can they require documentation to verify training and certification of a service animal.
"We're supposed to give people the benefit of the doubt," Wager said.
If a city employee discovers the service animal misbehaves or poses a threat to the health and safety of others, that worker can ask that the animal be removed.
Asking for the removal of the service animal doesn't prohibit the animal's owner from entering a city facility, according to the policy.
The policy does not cover comfort animals. Wager said by adopting this policy, comfort animals will not be allowed in parks facilities.
In other action, the parks board:
Approved the bid for the development of restrooms near the Holgate tennis courts. That bid was $146,466. No bid alternates were approved and the cost for the project will be shared by the Aberdeen Public School District. Work is expected to begin March 3, 2023, with completion by May 3.
Heard a report from Aquatics Supervisor Travis Lemer on the aquatics center. Revenue from the Aberdeen Aquatic Center will cover about 90% of the operational expenses, he said, which is something he's pleased about. The center was not fully staffed this year, he said, and fewer lifeguards were available to provide swimming lessons, so the staff was initially conservative on the number of swim lesson sections that would be offered. Future work at the aquatics center includes reconditioning and repainting the tower structure for the slides and replacement of the nonstick surfaces on the steps.
Cemetery Manager Ryan Smith reviewed the master plan for the cemetery and provided an update noting that cement work is expected to begin this fall for the installation of the columbarium, which will have niches people can purchase to place cremated remains.
This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Service animal policy adopted by the Parks Board
