Straight Talk: Bringing pets to work

  • Published
  • By Col. Roman L. Hund
  • 66th Air Base Group Commander
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – In this latest Straight Talk, I will address a question submitted by an employee on base about bringing animals to work.

Q Are animals allowed in facilities at Hanscom Air Force Base?

A Thank you for a great question, which provides an opportunity for us to be reminded of the importance of accommodations within the workplace. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, animals are not allowed in federal facilities, including at Hanscom Air Force Base, unless used to guide or assist handicapped persons.

The regulation specifically states, “Dogs and other animals, except seeing-eye dogs, other guide dogs, and animals used to guide or assist handicapped persons, shall not be brought upon property for other than official purposes.”

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines reasonable accommodation as "any modification or adjustment to a job or the work environment that will enable a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to participate in the application process or to perform essential job functions. A reasonable accommodation may also include adjustments to assure that a qualified individual with a disability has rights and privileges in employment equal to those of employees without disabilities."

As an accommodation, many people with disabilities use a service animal in order to fully participate in everyday life. Often, dogs can be trained to perform many important tasks to assist people with disabilities both in and outside the workplace. Absent an approved accommodation, animals should not be present in the workplace. I encourage all employees to work with their first-level supervisor if they feel there is something inappropriate occurring within their respective work center.

Thank you for the question. If you have a question and are not sure where to find the answer, I encourage you to contact the Straight Talk line at 781-225-1380 or by email at Hanscom.straightalk@us.af.mil.