Service and Therapy Animal Policy
Admission
1. Alyssum will admit service dogs as well as emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion dogs of any breed.
2. Alyssum WILL NOT admit cats as many people are allergic to them.
3. Alyssum staff may - on a case-by-case basis - consider the admission of another type of support animal (such as birds, hamster, etc.). This must be reviewed by the house management and approval must be granted prior to arrival.
4. See our support animal and service dog intake below
Rules
for all support animals and service dogs coming to Alyssum:
1. All animals will be under the control and supervision of their person at all times. The support animal must be harnessed, leashed, tethered or confined while in the common rooms unless these devices interfere with the animal's work or the person's disability prevents use of these devices. In that case, the person must use voice, signal, or other effective means to maintain control of the animal. Under control also means that an animal should not be allowed to bark or make noise repeatedly in a manner disturbing to others.
2. The owner of the animal is responsible for caring for and supervising their animal, which includes toileting (and cleaning up after them), feeding, and grooming and veterinary care.
3. Alyssum staff or management is not obligated to supervise or otherwise care for a service animal in any way.
4. See unacceptable behavior.
Vaccinations and Other Health Related Issues
In order to protect the program, staff and the house companion dog. All animals coming to Alyssum should be up to date on their vaccinations, as well as having been preventatively treated for fleas, ticks and worms as is applicable If a visiting animal is found to have fleas, ticks or worms, Alyssum staff will request that the dog be bathed and/or treated as needed for the stay to continue. Alyssum will provide the necessary medication should it be required.
Unacceptable Behavior
Unacceptable events or behaviors related to a person being unable to manage or control their animal will result in the animal being asked to leave the program. If an animal is excluded for such reasons, staff will still offer a continued stay to the person without the animal present.
Accomodations
Alyssum will make accommodations for animals in the same way as Alyssum accommodates people. All situations will be considered fairly and at times, with the exception of service dogs entry of an animal may need to be planned to accommodate other guests already present and vise-versa. Alyssum's companion dog will be removed from the premises if this accommodation needs to be made.
Emergency Care
All guests coming to Alyssum should have an emergency contact/care person for their animal which staff will note on the emergency contact form. Guests should make arrangements in advance of their stay for a family member or friend to assist with their animal should it be needed.
If a person is unable to care for their animal and is unable to arrange for someone else to care for the animal, Alyssum may place the animal in a boarding facility or make other appropriate arrangements until such time as their person can care for them again.
Service dogs should always be able to accompany their person regardless of circumstances (for instance travel in the ambulance or go to the hospital with them). If an ambulance is required and the space in the ambulance is crowded and the dog's presence would interfere with the emergency medical staff's ability to treat the guest, staff will make other arrangements to have the dog transported to the hospital.