Service Animal-Friendly Hospital
Service Animals Welcome Here!
Monadnock Community Hospital permits service animals in our facilities to give equal opportunity and access to people with disabilities. We’re proud to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
What service animals are
A service animal is a dog or miniature horse that is specially trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability. It is not a pet. Animals who only provide emotional support do not qualify as service animals according to the ADA. It’s against the law to misrepresent an animal as a service animal.
To ensure everyone’s safety, we follow ADA guidelines for service animals and handlers. When you visit us with your service animal, our staff may ask you if the animals is required because of a disability, and what tasks the animal is trained to perform.
Service animal requirements
Every service animal at Monadnock Community Hospital must:
- Be under the control of its handler at all times
- Be on a leash, unless the leash interferes with the animal’s tasks or the person’s disability
- Refrain from barking, whining, growling, unless this is part of the animal’s task
- Avoid seeking attention or food from the staff or others
- Avoid showing aggression to people or other animals
- Refrain from defecating or urinating indoors
If you are a patient with a service animal, and you’re scheduled for an appointment that lasts more than four hours, you must have a designated handler who is not yourself or a staff member to care for the dog during that time.
Service animal removal
Service animals will only be removed in extenuating circumstances, such as if the health and safety of you or others was at risk due to the animal’s presence. If we ask you to remove your service animal from the premises, we will continue to provide you with the medical care and any other accommodations you may need.
If the service animal is removed and you have no one to care for it, arrangements will be made for boarding at your expense.
More information about accessibility can be accessed at the Accessibility & Interpreter Services page. Questions can be directed to our ADA & Interpreters Services Line at 603-924-4691, or email the program coordinator at Molly.Rajaniemi@MCHMail.org. If you need urgent assistance, speak with your care provider or contact the main hospital at 603-924-7191 to be appropriately directed.
