Guidelines Regarding Animals on University Property
Read the Guidelines Regarding Animals on University Property
Service Animals
The University of Pittsburgh complies with The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and amendments in allowing the use of Service Animals on campus. The ADA defines Service Animal as “…any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.” The work or tasks performed by a Service Animal must be directly related to the handler´s disability. A Service Animal is permitted to accompany the person with a disability at any time, which includes places where pets are not permitted.
Dogs that are not trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs that are used purely for emotional support, are not Service Animals. Students who require the use of a Service Animal on campus are encouraged to contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS). The Service Animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the Service Animals’ work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the student must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal or other effective control.\
Inquiries Regarding Service Animals
Individuals cannot be asked about the nature or extent of their disability, but two inquiries can be made to determine whether an animal qualifies as a Service Animal:
- If the animal is required because of a disability and;
- What work or task the animal has been trained to perform.
The University of Pittsburgh cannot require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a Service Animal. Also, individuals are prohibited from making inquiries about a Service Animal when it is readily apparent that an animal is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability (e.g., the dog is observed guiding an individual who is blind or has low vision, pulling a person's wheelchair, or providing assistance with stability or balance to an individual with an observable mobility disability).
Support Animals
The University recognizes the importance of support animals, including emotional support animals, to individuals with a documented disability. A support animal may provide emotional support, stability and comfort. Support animals are not required to be trained to perform a specific job or task and therefore they do not qualify as “Service Animals” under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Support animals are only permitted in University of Pittsburgh residence halls if the animal has been determined to be a reasonable accommodation for an individual with a disability by DRS.
To receive housing accommodations, Disability Resources and Services requires that you submit appropriate medical documentation that confirms that you are an individual with a disability. Students who wish to submit a request for a support animal should refer to the Housing and Dining Accommodation page.