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Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Service Dogs in Teaching Laboratory

Date: Aug 28, 2025 15:17 UTC

Author: Wrublewski, Donna T. <dtwrub**At_Symbol_Here**CALTECH.EDU>

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Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Optimal Number of Students per TA/Instructor in General Chemistry Labs

Date: Aug 28, 2025 17:43 UTC

Author: David EldrEdge <Dave.EldrEdge**At_Symbol_Here**NALTIC.COM>

From: Bruce A. Hart <000018c2c7fcba23-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU>

Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Service Dogs in Teaching Laboratory

Date: Aug 28, 2025 16:50 UTC

Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>

Message-ID: <PH0PR01MB7491B16409F66F6F0CAC00B0CE3BA**At_Symbol_Here**PH0PR01MB7491.prod.exchangelabs.com>

In-Reply-To: <CABNxZ9fR=zYuHLjjcFkpARSM_EcNeToUZ8oUugksOCRCLb1FNA**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com>

Demystify: 
We made accommodations for a service dog in our Organic Lab.  I emphasize “service” and not emotional support.  She was trained for cardiac and dysautonomia alert, response and recovery.
The animal was well-trained and well-behaved.
The student was open about her medical condition.
 Maude the dog had a lab coat, Puppy Paws for foot protection and “Doggles” .   The Doggles were purchased from RexSpecs.   Grandma sewed the lab coat. 
 
Our lab footprint and layout allowed the dog to lay down in a back corner completely out of any traffic zones plus she was next to the work bench for her student owner.  We set aside additional bench space for the student.
We laid down fresh disposable PigMats from NewPig Corp. to prevent the dog from lying in any chemicals from previous spills that had, perhaps, gone unnoticed or hadn’t been thoroughly cleaned up. 
The other students in the lab were instructed not to touch the dog and risk possibly contaminating her fur.  They were also instructed not to distract the animal from her handler since it could lead to the dog missing an alert or hand cue from the owner. 
Overall, the experience was positive. I have not created a formal policy yet, but we have a framework for future requests.
Thanks to all those who responded with links to formal resources and university policies.

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> on behalf of Debbie Decker <debbie.m.decker**At_Symbol_Here**GMAIL.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 4:40 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Service Dogs in Teaching Laboratory
 
Tons!  Here's the documentation I developed for UCDavis.

 https://chemistry.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk196/files/files/page/needs-assessment_0.pdf

Happy to have a chat, if you wish.

Debbie M. Decker (she/her/hers), ACS Fellow
Chemical and Laboratory Safety Manager (ret.)
debbie.m.decker**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com
(916)616.7548

On Wed, Aug 27, 2025, 1:04 PM Kayla Johnson (she/her) <Kayla.L.Johnson**At_Symbol_Here**uvm.edu> wrote:
Hello,

I'm reaching out as I got contacted by a professor about a student bringing a service dog in an organic/biochemistry lab for nursing students. We had a request back in 2023 by my predecessor, so we have the documentation for this request. This is raising concerns for me, the professor, and chemical stockroom personnel, and I plan to have a discussion with the student and TA and Chemical Stockroom Manager. 

Does anyone have experience with service dogs in lab spaces?

Thank you,


Kayla Johnson, MS  (she/her)
CAS and RSENR Lab Safety Coordinator



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