Support animal policy had been on city’s radar, official says

Members of the public who need the companionship of support animals are now welcome to bring their animals to such city-operated buildings as the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site.

The updated policy came into effect in early February. 

“We’ve had a service animal policy (for people with disabilities) in place for quite some time for Transit Services...what we did here is for other areas under Community Services departments to expand that to different areas and facilities (along with emotional support animals),” said Brent Lamming, City of Sault Ste. Marie community services director, speaking to SooToday.

Those areas, Lamming said, include Transit Services and community centres in general, including GFL Memorial Gardens, McMeeken Centre, the John Rhodes Centre, Northern Community Centre and the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site.

“It was a good opportunity to update the policy to also encompass any support animal requirements which weren't really addressed in the original policy as clearly as it could have been. We wanted to bring it up to date with that aspect as well.”

“This was something that was on our radar for a while. We started to look at our policies, to review them. This was one that came up. We do have animals that come to our facilities and we just wanted to be able to educate our employees on how to deal with situations if they arise. We have good signage at our facilities that state no pets are to be on the premises, but we do welcome service animals, and now, if there’s documentation, (emotional) support animals as well.”

The updated city policy states there is a need for service or support animal owners to provide proof which differentiates service and support animals from personal pets.

“Under the policy, the customer can provide identification in the form of a card or a letter from a healthcare practitioner confirming the customer requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability,” Lamming said.