Congressman Juan Ciscomani announced on Apr. 21 that he has led a successful initiative to change federal guidance, which previously limited individuals with disabilities from bringing their service dogs into laboratory settings at universities and research facilities.
The issue is significant because the previous language had prevented many qualified Americans working in science from fully participating in their field, sometimes resulting in job loss. The change is intended to expand access and opportunity for people with disabilities who rely on service animals.
Ciscomani said, “After meeting with a constituent and working closely together on this issue, it became clear that individuals who rely on service dogs to study or work in laboratories should not face discrimination because of their disabilities. Whether due to a lifelong condition or a newly acquired need, no one should be forced to put their career on hold because of unclear or overly restrictive guidance. This commonsense change helps expand access and opportunity in the scientific field.” The congressman credited his constituent Joey Ramp-Adams of Tombstone—who uses her service dog Sampson—for bringing national attention to the problem.
Since 2024, Ciscomani has advocated for these changes by communicating directly with agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). As a result, new federal guidance now clarifies that allowing service animals into labs should be determined through individualized risk assessments rather than blanket exclusions.
Ciscomani urged further updates to CDC biosafety guidelines so they would read: “Animals and plants not associated with the work being performed are not permitted in the laboratory; service dogs may be an exception based on an individualized risk assessment.” He emphasized that updated guidance affirms disability accommodations are protected by law and must follow all relevant regulations.
Ciscomani has represented Arizona’s 6th district since replacing Ann Kirkpatrick in 2023 according to Congress.gov. He won election victories over Kirsten Engel both in 2022 and again in 2024. Born in Hermosillo, Mexico, Ciscomani is currently forty years old and lives in Tucson according to his campaign website. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2005 according to his campaign website.
