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�ؾ��� strives to create supportive and comfortable living communities inclusive of the needs of all students.  �ؾ��� complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and the Fair Housing Act (FHA) which all prohibit discrimination based on disability and impose various obligations upon the University to accommodate the use of service animals and Emotional Support animals that are approved as an accommodation for students with disabilities.

Please note that Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are not the same and are not interchangeable. They perform different functions.

SERVICE ANIMALS

A service animal is a dog or miniature horse as identified by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that is trained to do a task(s) or service(s) directly related to the handlers ‘disability. Service animals have received specialized training to perform work or tasks for their handler. Service Animals are allowed in all areas that are open to the general public. This includes the library, general offices, financial aid, registrar, public dining halls and general public events, etc.

If you are interested in bringing a service animal to live or be present on campus with you, please review the  �ؾ��� ODS Service and Emotional Support Animal Policy for Students.

We strongly encourage all students with a service animal that will be accompanying them on campus to register with ODS (). By registering with ODS, students will have the ability, through ODS services, to inform faculty in advance that they will have a Service Animal in the class, lab, etc. Additionally, in order to support our students with service animals on the campus, ODS has developed a voluntary service animal registration process Service/Emotional Support Animal Registration Form.

Important Information Regarding:

SERVICE ANIMALS:

Some of the handler's responsibilities while the service animal is on campus include the following:

• Service animal owners must have a disability as defined by the ADA.
• The service animal must be trained to do specific tasks for the qualified individual directly related to the individual's disability.
• The student should register with the Office of Disability Services; by registering students will have the ability through ODS to inform their professors in advance that they will have a service animal in the class, lab, etc
• Service animals should wear some type of identification symbol, identifying the animal as a working animal, but not disclosing disability.
• The handler must ensure the Service Animal does not infringe upon aisles or passageways for fire egress. In a lab environment, additional measures might be needed to ensure the safety of the animal.
• All service animals must wear a harness, leash, or other tether at all times outside of the handler’s private quarters, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work, or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. When a leash or tether is not in use, the service animal must be otherwise under the handler’s control (e.g. voice control, signals, or other effective means).
• A service animal in training must be accompanied by the trainer who is training the service animal, and the animal must wear a leash, harness, or cape that identifies the animal as a service animal in training. If the trainer is a student, they must provide information about the overseeing training agency.
• Service animals in training and their trainers are expected to adhere to the responsibilities and requirements of trained service animals and their student (owner).
• Always carry equipment sufficient to clean up the animal’s feces whenever the animal is on campus.

A faculty or a staff member may not inquire about the nature or extent of your disability, but may ask the following questions when it is not readily apparent that the animal is a service animal:

1. Is the dog/horse required because of a disability? and;
2. What work or tasks has the dog/horse been trained to perform related to your disability?

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS (ESA)

An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that provides emotional support, comfort, or companionship for a person with a disability to mitigate the impacts of the disability. Emotional Support Animals are not required to have formal training. ESA’s are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act and therefore are only permitted in certain areas. ESAs are covered under the Fair Housing Act and may be a reasonable accommodation in the residential environment if deemed necessary in order for the student to have equal access to the residential environment.

A student who has been approved for an ESA in University Residential Hall must adhere to guidelines for maintaining their animal in the residential environment. This includes but is not limited to:

• Emotional support animals must be contained within the approved student’s privately assigned residential area (room, suite, and apartment) at all times, except when transported outside the private residential area in an animal carrier or controlled by leash or harness to leave the campus or use the restroom. Always carry equipment sufficient to clean up the animal’s feces whenever the animal is brought outside to use the restroom.
• Any emotional support animal left in a residential facility while the student (owner) is temporarily away attending classes for any length of time, must be housed in a crate. The student (owner) of the animal retains responsibility for the animal at all times.
• Approved animals must not be left overnight in Residential Halls to be cared for by another student. Animals must leave campus if the student (owner) leaves campus for a prolonged period, including overnight.
• Assuring that the approved animal does not unduly interfere with the routine activities of the University or cause difficulties for other members of the
• University community. The student (owner) and approved animal are both responsible for abiding by all applicable residential policies, including room inspections.
• Student (owner) must provide for the care necessary for the animal’s well-being. This includes bathing, grooming, and other care procedures, including regular flea and tick treatments as needed.
• The student (owner) should ensure that the animal does not display any behaviors or noises that are disruptive to others, unless it’s part of the service being provided to the student (owner).
• All animals must be one (1) year old or older and housebroken; puppy pads will not be permitted.
• Official animal signage must be displayed on all external doors of the residence where a service or emotional support animal resides.
• Every academic year the student (owner) must renew their Service or Emotional Support Animal accommodation request.
• The student (owner) is responsible for the approved animal during a fire alarm, fire drill, or other building emergencies and /or natural disasters.
• In the case of an emergency, the University is not responsible for evacuating the animal. The student (owner) must have on file the name and contact information of an individual who could come to campus to remove the animal if needed within a reasonable amount of time. This person must be identified during the approval process.
• The student (owner) is financially responsible for the actions of the approved animal including bodily injury or property damage. The student (owner)’s responsibility covers, but is not limited to, replacement of furniture, carpet, windows, wall covering, etc. The student (owner) is expected to cover this cost at the time of repair and/or move-out. The University shall reserve the right to bill the student (owner)’s account for unmet obligations. Final restitution costs will vary depending upon the original condition of the residence and other factors.
• All roommates or suite mates of the student (owner) must sign a Roommate/Suite mate Acknowledgment Form allowing the approved animal to be in the residence with them. In the event that one or more roommates or suite mates do not approve, either the student (owner) and animal or the non-approving roommates or suite mates, as determined by the Office of Residence Education policy, may be moved to a different location.
• The student (owner) must notify the Office of Disability Services in writing if the approved animal is no longer needed or is no longer in residence. To replace an approved animal, the student (owner) must file a new accommodation request.
• The student (owner) is responsible for independently removing the approved animal’s waste. Waste must be disposed of in a sealed bag in designated areas. Indoor animal waste, such as cat litter, must be placed in a sturdy plastic bag and securely tied up before being disposed of in outside designated areas. Litter boxes should be placed on mats, so that waste is not tracked onto carpeted surfaces. Outdoor solid animal waste must be picked up immediately and disposed of in a sealed plastic bag.
• The student (owner) is responsible for complying with local and state licensing laws for animal rights and student (owner) responsibilities. Approved animals must have an annual vaccination certificate and a statement regarding a clean bill of health from a licensed veterinarian on file with the Office of Disability Services. Dogs must have current vaccination against rabies and wear a vaccination tag.
• The student (owner) agrees to continue to abide by all other University policies. Any violation of the rules may result in immediate removal of the animal from the University and may be reviewed through the Student Conduct Process, and the student (owner) will be afforded all rights of due process and appeal as outlined in that process. Should the approved animal be removed from the University premises for any reason, the student (owner) is expected to fulfill housing obligations for the remainder of the housing contract.

If you are interested in bringing a service or an assistance animal to live on campus with you please see the ODS, ODS Service and Emotional Support Animal Policy for Students.