Guidelines Regarding Animals on University Property
Read the Guidelines Regarding Animals on University Property
Review the Support Animals: Owners’ Rights and Responsibilities
Assistance Animals FAQ
- What is an Assistance Animal?
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An animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support to alleviate one or more identified effects of a person’s disability. Assistance Animal is the general term that incorporates Service Animals, Service Animals in Training (SAIT), and Emotional Support Animals.
- What is the difference between a Service Animal and a Service Animal in Training (SAIT)?
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A Service Animal is a dog that is trained to perform specific tasks to assist an individual with an ADA covered disability. These animals are trained to work or perform tasks directly related to the person's disability.
A Service Animal in Training (SAIT) is any dog being trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with an ADA disability. This can also include a puppy being raised to become a Service Animal for an individual with a disability. A SAIT is required to wear an indicating vest at all times while on campus.
- Where are Service Animals/SAIT allowed on campus?
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Service Animals and SAIT’s are generally allowed on university campuses and must be allowed to accompany individuals with disabilities in all areas where the public is normally allowed to go, including but not limited to classrooms, libraries, food service establishments. However, certain areas, such as research laboratories with specific safety requirements, may have restrictions.
- What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
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An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is any animal that provides emotional support to individuals with a mental or psychiatric disability and are allowed for individuals residing in University-housing if approved as a housing accommodation by DRS.
ESA’s are not allowed to enter other university buildings and must remain in the student’s assigned campus housing or the immediate surrounding area when exercising or toileting the animal.
- Are Assistance Animals required to be registered with the University?
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Students with a Service Animal are encouraged to register with DRS on their campus, however it is not required. Employees with a Service Animal are required to register their animal by requesting a workplace accommodation through DRS.
Students with a SAIT are required to register with DRS on their campus. Employees with a SAIT are required to register their animal by requesting a workplace accommodation through DRS.
Students with an ESA must request approval through DRS on their campus. Employees with an ESA must request approval by requesting a workplace accommodation through DRS.
- What questions can I ask someone with a Service Animal?
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Federal law prohibits requiring documentation or proof of a disability for Service Animals. Only two questions can be asked of handlers:
- Is the animal a Service Animal required because of a disability?
- What disability-related work or task(s) has the animal been trained to perform?
- Who is responsible for the care and supervision of an Assistance Animal?
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The care, management, and supervision of Assistance Animals are the sole responsibility of the student, employee, or visitor handler. Care, management, and supervision includes, but is not limited to, toileting and proper disposal of animal waste, feeding, grooming, and management of animal behavior.
- How should others interact with Assistance Animals?
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Staff, faculty, and students should not touch, feed, talk to, interfere with, or interact with a Service Animal, SAIT, or ESA unless the handler has provided explicit permission to do so.
Additionally, do not ask questions about the individual's disability, request medical documentation, require identification or training documentation for the animal, or ask that a Service Animal demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task they are trained to perform.
- What can I do if I have an issue or concern with an Assistance Animal?
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University Members with concerns about an Assistance Animal should contact one of the following:
- University Campus Police when there is an imminent health or safety risk.
- A supervisor when the reporter is an employee.
- Residence hall staff or DRS when the handler is a student.
- DRS when the status of the handler is unknown.
- What if my Assistance Animal is denied access to a specific location on campus?
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If you believe that your Service Animal, SAIT, or ESA should receive access to a location where access has been limited, revoked, or prohibited by the University, you should contact DRS for assistance.
- What if I have a severe allergy and/or condition related to animals and there is an Assistance Animal in my class, university-owned housing, and/or work area?
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Students with medical condition(s) that are affected by animals (e.g., respiratory diseases, asthma, substantial allergies) should apply for services and request accommodations through DRS.
Employees with medical condition(s) that are affected by animals (e.g., respiratory diseases, asthma, substantial allergies) should request a workplace accommodation through DRS.
- What is a Therapy Animal?
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Therapy Animals provide affection and comfort to the public, including settings such as schools, but they do not provide a disability-related service nor do they have legal rights of access. Therapy Animal visits are coordinated through community organizations and must be sponsored by a University department in order to be in University facilities or on University grounds.