What are assistance or emotional support animals?
An assistance animal is any animal that works, provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. An assistance animal does not necessarily need to be trained and is not necessarily limited to any specific type of animal. An assistance animal is restricted to the residence of the individual, and may not accompany the resident to other areas of the university without an accommodation from SAS. Assistance animals are not required to wear a vest or other item identifying themselves as such.
How can students get an assistance animal accommodation?
To request an assistance animal accommodation, students should connect with SAS. In addition to documentation needed to establish a person’s disability, SAS may require a statement from a reliable third party indicating that the animal would provide emotional support or other assistance that would ameliorate one or more symptoms or effects of the disability. A “reliable third party” is someone who is familiar with the individual’s disability and the necessity for the requested accommodation. A reliable third-party includes, but is not limited to someone who provides medical care, therapy or counseling to persons with disabilities, including, but not limited to, doctors, physician assistants, psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers.
SAS, in consultation with the student and other parties, as appropriate, may consider the criteria below in determining whether the presence of the animal is reasonable in the making of housing assignments for individuals with assistance animals:
- Whether the animal poses or has posed in the past a direct threat to the individual or others;
- Whether the animal causes or has caused excessive damage to university property beyond reasonable wear and tear;
- Whether the size of the animal is too large for available assigned housing space;
- Whether the animal’s presence otherwise violates individuals’ right to peace and quiet enjoyment; and
- Whether the animal is housebroken or is unable to live with others in a reasonable manner.
Where can assistance animals go?
An approved accommodation through SAS specifically for the assistance animal is required before a handler can bring it into non-public areas of campus (this includes the handler’s residence hall assignment). The handler’s approved accommodation will specify the parameters of the use of the animal, including which non-public areas of campus the assistance animal is permitted. Without specific approval, assistance animals are restricted to the student’s individually assigned residence hall unit. Assistance animals are not permitted in shared residence hall spaces, including lounges, without explicit approval from SAS.
If approved, SAS will notify University Housing of the accommodation. Only the type of animal and parameters of the animal’s approval will be shared; at no time is disability information shared outside of SAS. This information may be shared with University Housing personnel who need this information to do their jobs, including Residence Assistants. Students must meet with University Housing to discuss their rights and responsibilities prior to bringing the animal into the residence hall. This includes waste disposal, areas for natural relief, and behavioral expectations. Students may choose to place an Animal in Residence sticker on their door to alert University Housing staff and first responders of the animal’s presence.
If the student is assigned to a living space with one or more roommates or suitemates, University Housing may also share the approval of the animal with the designated roommates prior to move-in or once the assistance animal accommodation is confirmed. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss the presence of an assistance animal with their roommates prior to move-in and to outline parameters of the animal in their roommate agreement. СƬƵ reserves the right to assign an individual with an assistance animal to a single room without a roommate upon availability.
Student handler responsibilities:
- Keep the animal within the approved residence hall unit. Animals are permitted to leave the residence hall unit for natural relief but must be in an animal carrier or on a leash or harness.
- Keep the animal under control at all times. At no time should the animal be without a leash or harness or not in an animal carrier. Animals found running loose may be captured and removed from University Housing. The handler is responsible for ensuring that the assistance animal is contained, as appropriate, when the owner is not present during the day while attending classes or other activities.
- Clean up animal waste. The handler is required to clean up after and properly dispose of the animal’s waste in a safe and sanitary manner and, when provided, must use animal relief areas designated by the University.
- Follow all relevant laws and policies regarding animals. Assistance animal handlers must abide by current city, county, and state ordinances, laws, and/or regulations pertaining to licensing, vaccination, and other requirements for animals. It is the owner’s responsibility to know and understand these ordinances, laws, and regulations. The University may require documentation of such compliance, including license or vaccination records. Additionally, the handler must abide by all residence hall policies and ensure that the animal does not interfere with the routine activities of the residence or cause difficulties for individuals who reside there.
- Ensure the animal is well cared for. Any evidence of mistreatment, abuse, neglect, or leaving the assistance animal unattended for unreasonably long periods of time, such as overnight or multiple days, may result in immediate removal of the assistance animal and/or discipline for the responsible individual based on the University Student Code of Conduct and University Housing’s Hallways Handbook.
- Have a back-up plan and emergency evacuation strategy. At no time will University staff provide care or food for any assistance animal including, but not limited to, removing the animal during emergency evacuation for events such as a fire alarm. Emergency personnel will determine when or if it is appropriate to remove the animal during an emergency and may not be held responsible for care, damage to, or loss of the animal. Additionally, assistance animals may not be left overnight in University housing to be cared for by any individual other than the owner. If the owner is to be absent from their resident hall overnight or longer, the animal must accompany the owner. The owner is responsible for ensuring that the assistance animal is contained, as appropriate, when the owner is not present during the day while attending classes or other activities.
- Be responsible for property damage. An assistance animal handler may be charged for any damage caused by the animal beyond reasonable wear and tear to the same extent that other individuals are responsible for damages beyond reasonable wear and tear. The owner’s living accommodations may also be inspected for fleas, ticks, or other pests, and if pests are detected through inspection, the owner will be billed for the expense of any pest treatment above and beyond standard pest management in the residence halls. The University will bill the student’s account for property damage charges in the same manner that all students are billed for damages in the residence halls.
- Notify SAS if the assistance animal is no longer needed. The animal is allowed in University housing only as long as necessary because of the owner’s disability. The owner must notify SAS in writing if the assistance animal is no longer needed or is no longer in residence. To replace an assistance animal, the new animal must be necessary because of the owner’s disability and the owner must follow SAS accommodation request procedures. As with all housing accommodations, students with assistance animals are responsible for alerting SAS of their intent to use the assistance animal accommodation in subsequent semesters or academic years.
Removal of the assistance animal
Students with assistance animals who have questions, concerns, or complaints regarding their utilization of an assistance animal on campus should contact SAS. Handlers found to be falsely characterizing their animal as an assistance animal may be subject to discipline in accordance with other applicable university policies.
The University may require the owner to remove the assistance animal from University housing if:
The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or causes substantial property damage to the property of others, including University property;
The animal’s presence results in a fundamental alteration of a University program;
The owner does not comply with the owner’s responsibilities set forth above; or
The animal or its presence creates an unmanageable disturbance or interference with the University community.
SAS will make individualized determinations based on evidence of the behavior of the particular animal and resident on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with University Housing, the resident, and other parties as appropriate. Should the assistance animal be removed from the premises, the owner is expected to fulfill their housing obligations for the rest of the housing contract.
Contact your Access Advisor with questions or concerns.