Service Dog Training

Handbook of Operating Procedures 5-4520

The University of Texas at Austin

Executive Sponsor: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Policy Owner: Assoc. Vice President for Human Resources
November 1, 2001

Policy Statement

The University of Texas at Austin provides leave to employees with a disability to attend a training program to acquaint the employee with a dog trained to assist the employee with the employee's disabling condition.

Scope

This policy applies to an employee with a disability, as defined below who is appointed to work at least twenty (20) hours per week for a period of at least four and one-half (4 ) continuous months. For purposes of this policy, faculty must be appointed for at least fifty percent (50%) time for at least four and one-half (4 ) continuous months. Students employed in positions that require student status as a condition of employment are not covered by this policy.

Definition

An employee with a disability, for the purposes of this policy, means a person who has a mental or physical disability, including mental retardation, hearing impairment, deafness, speech impairment, visual impairment, or any health impairment that requires special ambulatory devices or services.

Length of Leave

Eligible employees will receive up to ten (10) days of paid leave to attend a training program.

Employee Responsibilities

The employee shall provide the supervisor with documentation of training arrangements at least two (2) weeks in advance of the training.

The employee shall promptly and accurately record the use of leave.

Supervisor Responsibilities

The supervisor shall verify the eligibility of applicants, review leave requests and approve them as appropriate, and verify that the employee, upon return to work, has properly recorded the use of the leave.

For Assistance: Questions regarding service dog training leave should be directed to Human Resources,Benefits Services Section, or to the website: http://www.utexas.edu/hr/.

Electronic time sheet website: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/pntime.