Service Animal Policy

Service Animal Policy

Facility: Savannah Golf Links
Location: Cambridge, ON
Date Effective: January 1, 2024
Approved by: Christopher Rusk – General Manager

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that individuals with disabilities who are accompanied by service animals have equal access to Savannah Golf Links’ facilities and services, in compliance with applicable accessibility legislation.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All employees, contractors, volunteers, and representatives of Savannah Golf Links
• All areas of the golf course, including the clubhouse, pro shop, restaurant, event spaces, golf course grounds, and parking lots

3. Definition of Service Animal

A service animal is defined as an animal that provides support to a person with a disability. In Ontario, an animal is considered a service animal if:

1. It is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to their disability, or
2. The person provides documentation from a regulated health professional confirming the animal is required for disability-related reasons.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Guide dogs for individuals with vision loss
• Hearing dogs for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Animals providing support for mobility, seizure alerts, or medical conditions

4. Policy Statement

Savannah Golf Links welcomes service animals on its premises and will ensure that they are permitted in all areas open to the public, unless otherwise restricted by law (e.g., certain food preparation areas where exclusion is mandated).

5. Guidelines

5.1 General Access

• Service animals are allowed in all public areas of the golf course, including the clubhouse, dining areas, pro shop, and golf course grounds.
• Golf carts may be used to accommodate both the guest and their service animal, provided it is safe to do so.

5.2 Responsibilities of Guests with Service Animals

• Guests are responsible for the care, control, and supervision of their service animal.
• Service animals must remain on a leash, harness, or under the handler’s control at all times.
• Guests are responsible for cleaning up after their service animals.

5.3 Employee Responsibilities

• Employees will treat individuals accompanied by service animals with the same respect as all other guests.
• Employees will not separate a person from their service animal.
• Employees may only ask the following permitted questions if the service animal’s purpose is not obvious:
  1. Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability?
  2. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

5.4 Exceptions

A service animal may be asked to leave if:

• The animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action, or
• The animal poses a direct threat to health and safety.

In such cases, staff must still provide service to the individual without the animal, if possible.

6. Training

All staff will receive training on:

• The rights of individuals with service animals
• Proper etiquette when interacting with persons with service animals
• Procedures if concerns arise

7. Complaints or Concerns

Any guest with concerns about this policy or the treatment of their service animal may contact:
Christopher Rusk, General Manager, Savannah Golf Links
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
519-622-0309

8. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure compliance with legislation and best practices.