Accessibility at Wildlife Prairie Park
Support our Park for All Campaign to make Wildlife Prairie Park more accessible for everyone.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome at Wildlife Prairie Park in designated areas. Our facility is home to over 60 species and 180 individual animals, some of which have natural predatory instincts. To ensure the safety of our guests, service animals, and Wildlife Prairie Park’s animal population, all guests must adhere to our service animal policy.
Service Animal Policy
Service Animals Allowed
In accordance with the ADA, Wildlife Prairie Park allows “service animals” in permitted areas with a handler.
A “service animal” is defined by the ADA as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. Pets, therapy animals and emotional support animals are not considered service animals under the ADA.
Guidelines & Policies
Service animals must be on duty and serving in their official capacity and under the control of a handler at all times.
The owner of the service animal is solely responsible for its care and supervision.
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.
Upon Arrival
If you are to be accompanied by a service animal, please email lodging@wildlifeprairie.org ahead of your visit and inform the entry gate attendant when you arrive. Guests will be provided with a service animal map.
Allowed Areas
Service animals may accompany guests in park locations where no animals are on display that are the natural prey or natural predators of dogs, including the Visitor Center, Snack Shack, Ticket Gate, Train Depot, Train Depot Playground Area, Gollywhopper Playground Area, Ranger Station, French Overlook, Hazel’s Hill Overlook, fishing lakes, banquet facilities, lodging area and the Bison overlook on the east side of the park. Service animals are allowed on hiking trails, fishing lakes, Parkside Pavilion and the disc golf course on the west side of the park.
Restricted Areas
Due to the natural predator/prey instinct of animals, some park animals may react quickly or violently to the presence of a service animal. Due to these natural instincts, as well as health and disease transmission concerns, service animals are not permitted in areas where the animals on display are the natural prey or natural predators of dogs. For the safety of our guests, service animals, and park animals, service animals may not accompany guests inside Forest Hall, on any animal trail including Merrill Woods, the Pioneer Area, the Wolf Overlook and other locations where the presence of a dog may be disruptive, causing the display animal to behave aggressively or become agitated or distressed.
Special Circumstance Restrictions
Service animals may be temporarily restricted from specific, public areas due to concerns regarding new births, hatchings, nesting, or breeding. If at any time the presence of a service animal upsets Wildlife Prairie Parks animals - causing them to become distressed, aggressive, or dangerous to themselves or others - the service animal must be removed from that area.
Emotional Support Animals
Pets, therapy animals and emotional support animals are not considered service animals under the ADA and are only permitted in lodging. Take the animal directly from your car to your lodging, and from your lodging to your car. Animals must be on a leash at all times when outside your lodging and may not move about the park. Wildlife Prairie Park does not charge extra fees or pet deposits for emotional support animals; however, pet owners are responsible for any damage to the property. For more information, refer to the lodging policy.
Special Accommodations
Because we want all guests to be able to enjoy all areas of Wildlife Prairie Park, if you would like to visit a restricted area, we are happy to provide the following accommodation:
A guided walk through of the area by a staff member while another member of your party supervises and safeguards your service animal.
If you would like to use the above option, please ask any staff member to contact the park administrator with your request.
Know that our staff is committed to making your visit enjoyable. Wildlife Prairie Park is not responsible for harm or injury that your pet or service animal may receive while at the park.
