BCR Service Animal Policy
Bear Creek Ranch, while a functioning Ranch with its own animals onsite, must limit which animals attendees may bring to retreats or events and bring inside the facilities.
Service Animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Service Animals have public access rights in accordance with the ADA and are permitted at the Ranch. They are allowed inside any building or room that is open to attendees and must be leashed or under control of the handler at all times.
Emotional Support Animals are defined as any animal that provides emotional support alleviating one or more symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. By law, ESA’s do not have public access rights and therefore are NOT permitted at the Ranch. ESA’s should be left at home. ESA's should not be left in a vehicle or hotel room because there is not enough time during session breaks to care for the animal.
Pets are NOT permitted at the Ranch and should be left at home. Pets should not be left in a vehicle or hotel room because there is not enough time during session breaks to care for the animal.
Service Animal Rules:
All handlers must register the Service Animal with BCR before attending each retreat by filling out the registration form and Service Animal liability waiver. (See form below or download PDF here.)
While at the Ranch, all Service Animals must be on a leash or under the handler’s control at all times. BCR is located on a busy highway and has lost runaway animals before.
Service Animals should not be tied up and left outside. Georgia summers are very hot and could dehydrate or overheat them quickly, especially if they aren’t used to such high temperatures.
There are a variety of Ranch animals onsite and are confined to fenced areas. Attendees are not permitted within fenced areas and should never open any fence gates. Additionally, Service Animals should be kept out of direct contact with any Ranch animal at all times.
A Service Animal relief area is available at the Ranch. Please pick up after your animal when using the relief area.
Service Animal Registration Form
and Liability Waiver
Please fill out the Registration Form and the Liability Waiver below.
If you would like a copy of the Service Animal Policy, Registration Form, and Liability Waiver, download here.