Surgery Centers

Service Animal Policy

Service Animal Policy

Definition: A service dog is defined as an individually trained animal that performs at least one of the following work or tasks to benefit the person with a disability: Physical, Sensory, Psychiatric, Intellectual, or Other mental disability.

California defines disability is defined as a physical or psychological disorder that limits a significant life activity. Major life activities are physical, mental, social, and work.  California does not consider the following as part of a disability: Compulsive gambling, Kleptomania, or Unlawful substance use.

A handler is a person with a service animal.

Policy: The center will provide accommodations to the best of its ability for individuals under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010), and the American Disabilities Act of 2008, which prohibits discrimination based on a disability in the offering and delivery of healthcare services.

The center will follow the ADA and California definitions of a service animal to the best of its ability. However, the center’s size and the need to protect patient’s privacy and ensure no patient is exposed to an animal to which they may have an adverse physical or mental reaction are constraints.

Service animals are not allowed in the surgery center due to the negative impact an animal ‘s hair and dandruff can have on the center’s infection control practices and patient safety.

Patient Complaint Process: A patient can file a complaint with the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division if denied access to a service animal in a healthcare business. They can file a complaint:

  • Online at ADA.gov
  • By mail at:

U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530

If you believe you were denied access to a service animal in a California healthcare business, you can file a complaint with the:

  • ADA Information Line: Call (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY)
  • Department of Justice (DOJ): File a complaint if the business or public entity is receiving federal funding
  • Center for Health Care Quality (CHCQ): File a complaint against a licensed or certified healthcare facility
  • Healthcare provider or insurance plan: File a complaint with the provider or plan directly
  • ADA or Section 504 coordinator: File a complaint with the coordinator for the facility or plan

 

By calling the ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY)