On-Campus Access of Service Animals

On-campus access of service animals is allowed for beneficiaries belonging to the University’s student body, faculty or staff with mobility or sensory disabilities, psychiatric illnesses, or serious or chronic diseases who meet the following requirements:

• handicap assessment report pursuant to Italian Law No. 104 of 5 February 1992 or civil disability report (or foreign equivalent); and
• medical certificate, issued by a specialist doctor or a public body with appropriate wording, attesting to the appropriateness and purpose of the presence of a service dog.

The service animal allowed on campus is only and exclusively the dog with appropriate documentation and trained to perform a specific role. For example: mobility service dogs, guide dogs for the hearing-impaired people, dogs trained to help people with epilepsy and autism, diabetic alert dogs, dogs trained for psychiatric conditions and/or post-traumatic stress.

It is necessary to submit the request to the email address inclusion@unibocconi.it by completing the appropriate form and providing documents related to the medical condition of both the person and the dog. Access to the campus premises can only occur after authorization: confirmation of this authorization is provided to the beneficiary by the Inclusion Service.

The spaces that the University dedicates to the service are: 

Service dogs are always prohibited from entering any area not expressly authorized and in particular refreshment areas, study areas (other than classrooms), sports areas and university residences (excluding guide dogs for visually-impaired people, which are always allowed) unless exceptions are agreed upon from time to time (e.g. conferences, graduation, career days, food and beverage areas, whose managers may grant admission at their discretion). Service dogs are always allowed to enter the restrooms of all the above buildings.

Once the authorization has been granted, the owner of the service dog assumes full civil responsibility, which cannot be delegated to others, to be aware of the dog’s every need, ensuring appropriate behavior also in relations with third persons or animals.

The owner must always comply with the following requirements: 

• be equipped with equipment for handling or controlling dogs (e.g. leash, harness, collar or other symbol that identifies him as a service dog) 

• pay attention to the physiological, physical and emotional needs of the dog by performing obligatory collection of droppings or other organic residues (e.g. dog hair)* and preventing inappropriate interactions of third parties with the dog, except blind people. This activity will be carried out, if necessary, in collaboration with Campus Services

• ensure that the dog behaves properly, is not aggressive, and does not interfere with or disturb others 

• exercise caution when dealing with third parties or animals, considering and respecting any form of allergy, fear or phobia 

• comply with all university instructions given regarding the days, times, dedicated spaces, access methods and route 

• show the authorization issued by the University at the request of the on-campus staff in charge of audit and/or supervision activities. 

* Except for blind persons and persons with unaccompanied disabilities who are exempted from the compulsory collection of their dogs' waste.

All other persons who have to interact within the same context (common areas, classrooms, offices) have the following responsibilities: 

• be respectful and professional when with a service dog, avoiding behavior that could cause stress or discomfort to the dog or its owner 

• stay clear of and not distract, interact, touch, pet or try to play with a service dog 

• not feed the service dog 

• respect the personal space of the dog and owner 

• avoid inappropriate or discriminatory questions and comments about the dog or owner 

• report if a service dog appears to be in trouble or behaving inappropriately 

The University guarantees a dog area, including a public one, in the vicinity (Piazza Sraffa dog area and Parco Ravizza).

The authorization may be withdrawn in light of: 

• breaches of this procedure (e.g. lack of owner control) 

• hygiene, health or safety reasons (e.g. aggressive behavior, disturbance or interference with others, clinical condition of the dog) having taken over in the presence of additional reasons, even momentary, deemed by the University to be detrimental to the access and residence of the dog (e.g. institutional events, demonstrations) 

• requests made by public authorities (e.g. for reasons of public policy).