Service Animals
Service animals are animals trained to help individuals with disabilities carry out the activities of daily living safely.
Examples of service animals include, but are not limited to, animals that:
- Guide a blind or visually impaired handler around obstacles
- Alert a handler with diabetes about low blood sugar levels
- Protect a handler with epilepsy during seizures
- Calm a handler with autism in an environment with too much sensory stimulation
- Retrieve out-of-reach objects for a handler with a physical disability
- Alert a handler who is deaf or hard of hearing about sounds
Most service animals have completed a prescribed training program and received certification.
Participants wishing to attend SideBurn with a service animal are welcome. We ask that all participants wishing to bring their service animal email notice at least 8 days before the event starts and attach the appropriate official documentation to equity@sideburn.ca.
Emotional Support Animals
Emotional support animals (ESA) are those animals that are required by persons with a disability, as confirmed by a licensed healthcare practitioner.
Individuals wishing to bring an ESA to SideBurn are required to provide an up-to-date letter from a licensed healthcare provider confirming the following:
- that they have a disability,
- that the disability causes them to have specific restrictions and/or limitations, and
- they require the ESA to address some or all specified limitations and/or restrictions.
You must provide this letter to us at least 14 days before attending SideBurn by email to equity@sideburn.ca.
Upon receipt of the above letter, we will notify you whether we have approved your request. We may have further questions before granting any approval Please note that without an up-to-date letter from your healthcare provider containing the above information, we reserve the right to refuse entry to any ESA. Furthermore, arrival at the event with a Service Animal or ESA not already registered with us can cause a refusal of entry.
Animal Policy Guidelines for Service Animals and Approved ESAs
Before the event, all individuals with Service Animals or Approved ESAs are required to obtain a free ticket for their service animal or ESA; the link to collect the ticket will be provided by the Equity Chair.
Those individuals with Service Animals or Approved ESAs are required to abide by the following rules when at SideBurn:
- Service animals and ESAs must always be properly supervised by their owner or a qualified person. No animals may be unattended (for example, alone in your RV, tent, or vehicle) at the event at any time.
- Service animals and ESAs must be leashed at all times.
- You are responsible for the removal of all animal waste from the site. This is a leave-no-trace event. We do not provide animal waste disposal service, so please do not place the waste in the porta potties. Doing so is grounds for expulsion from the event.
- You must ensure all aspects of the animal’s well-being are taken care of during the event. SideBurn does not provide first aid services for non-humans, nor is food or water available.
- When they arrive on-site, check in with the gate to obtain your animal’s event ID card. The animal must be well-behaved at all times; any forms of aggression towards people or other animals will not be tolerated.
Flame Ontario Arts Collective does not assume any liability for the safety or conduct of your service animal at the event. Those bringing their service animals assume full liability for any injuries that could be sustained by their animal or for injuries inflicted by their animal on other participants while on the event property.
Not complying with the requirements for service animals and approved ESAs can result in expulsion from the event and/or refusal of future event attendance.
Pets
SideBurn does not allow pets at the event.
