Service Dogs in the Chemistry Laboratory

Valuing Diversity in Dietetics: Considerations for Service Dogs at School, Internships, and the Workplace

“…24 One article considers biosafety level (BSL) 1 and chemical safety level (CSL) D as almost universally appropriate for SDs, BSL 2 and CSL C as often appropriate for SDs possibly with personal protective equipment (PPE), and BSL 3 and 4 as well as CSL B and A as requiring more rigorous assessment. 14,[25][26][27] Undergraduate core laboratory courses are almost always BSL 2 or CSL C or D. 14 The American Chemical Society and the American Society of Microbiology recommend requiring SDs to wear similar PPE as other students, such as boots, goggles, or a lab coat. 25,26 The ADA requires that there be one accessible recessed bench per laboratory, which often provides sufficient space for the SD.…”

“…14,[25][26][27] Undergraduate core laboratory courses are almost always BSL 2 or CSL C or D. 14 The American Chemical Society and the American Society of Microbiology recommend requiring SDs to wear similar PPE as other students, such as boots, goggles, or a lab coat. 25,26 The ADA requires that there be one accessible recessed bench per laboratory, which often provides sufficient space for the SD. 24,28 Classroom relocation should be considered if this is not the case.…”

Service Dogs and Safety in Academic Laboratories

“…The need of the partner for the dog's service, the safety of the dog, and the safety of other students and instructors in the laboratory are the major concerns arising from the presence of the dog in a chemistry laboratory. 6,7 The most important consideration, since the relationship between the dog and the human partner provides the partner with independence, is the type of task the dog performs. Tasks may be practical (picking up or carrying items, guiding an individual with a visual impairment, opening doors and cabinets, alerting to alarm sounds) or truly life-saving (warning of an impending glucose imbalance for a student with diabetes).…”

“…The need of the partner for the dog’s service, the safety of the dog, and the safety of other students and instructors in the laboratory are the major concerns arising from the presence of the dog in a chemistry laboratory. , …”

Who Let the Dogs Out? A Plea for Official Guidelines on Service Animals in the Teaching Laboratory

“…However, no mention is given to service animals. The American Chemical Society (ACS) has a recent publication on Service Dogs in the Chemistry Laboratory which outlines reasonable accommodations for an animal in such a space (6). Many of the issues outlined in this perspective are addressed in that ACS publication.…”