Service and Emotional Support Animal Policy
The Fine Arts Work Center recognizes the important role that animals and our beloved pets can play in our lives. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all program participants and approved animals while onsite at FAWC and our facilities. These policies have been developed in response to ongoing feedback from staff, program participants, and community members.
If you have feedback or questions regarding the policies below, please contact FAWC’s administrative staff at info@fawc.org.
Residential Units
We will accommodate service animals without question and emotional support animals with a document that includes the name of your diagnosed condition(s) and a recommendation for an emotional support animal. It must be written and signed by a licensed mental health professional who can legally practice in your state. The letter must include the practitioner’s license number. An emotional support animal is a type of assistance animal recognized as a “reasonable accommodation” for a person with a disability under the federal Fair Housing Act.
Otherwise, we must ask you to please leave your pets at home.
FAWC maintains several pet-free units for individuals with allergies or related concerns.
Grounds
Including the parking lot, the courtyard deck, backyard grassy common area, and adjacent Fishburn Court
Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. Emotional support animals must be leashed and under the owner’s control at all times. Massachusetts has a statewide leash law whereby a dog must be on a leash when out in public unless the animal is in a designated city dog park where owners or walkers may have their pets run free.
Public Spaces
Including Daniel A. Mullin Courtyard, Stanley Kunitz Common Room, Courtyard Lounge, Hudson D. Walker Gallery, and classrooms
With the exception of service animals, pets are not permitted in FAWC’s indoor public spaces.
Private Spaces
Including studios and administrative offices
Service animals are permitted in private FAWC spaces. With the prior approval of the FAWC administration, emotional support animals are also permitted in private spaces, including studios and individual offices. The animal must be on a leash and under its owner’s control when moving between public and private spaces at FAWC.
Owner Responsibilities
- The animal must be housebroken.
- FAWC cannot provide for the care or supervision of a service animal, including cleaning up after the animal.
- The animal should be vaccinated in accordance with state and local laws.
- Noise disturbances should be addressed in a timely manner by the owner.
If a resident’s assistance animal is demonstrably a threat to other people or property, FAWC reserves the right to deny or revoke permission for the resident to stay onsite with the animal.
