Dr. Brian Duffy, a Wayne Community College chemistry instructor, helped write a blog post on service animals in a science laboratory.
Duffy was invited to assist Dr. Ken Roy, an internationally recognized science and lab specialist, with the article “Service Animals in the Science/STEM Laboratory.” It was posted in the “NSTA Safety Blog” on the National Science Teaching Association’s website.
“The opportunity to help write and review such a topic provided me with a unique perception of the challenges and struggles that a student and the service animal may face in a changing educational environment,” Duffy said.
Duffy noted that he had just had experience with a service animal this semester when a colleague’s student relied on a service animal this semester. “The faculty member and I utilized the current service animal policy at WCC and other resources to become comfortable and knowledgeable.”
He commended the college for having a service animal policy in place. “I think this highlights WCC’s commitment to providing a welcoming, diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for every person,” Duffy said.
“I just hope that Dr. Roy and I commented adequately and provided enough insight into such an important topic for inclusivity for the individual needing a service animal,” Duff said.
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 165 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.