Operating Procedures for Service Animals on Campus

These procedures support the policy on Equal Opportunity, Equal Access and Affirmative Action (III.C.2) and the policy on Use of Facilities (IV.B.1).

Effective date: March 1, 2021

INTRODUCTION

Individuals with disabilities who utilize service animals, as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice, may bring their service animal with them to all areas of the campus where the public is normally allowed to go without requesting permission.

Members of the university community who encounter an individual with a service animal are advised that the animal is working and is not a pet. Follow the below guidance for interacting with a service animal:

• Allow the service animal to accompany its owner/handler at all times and everywhere on campus, except in restricted areas (see below section).
• Do not approach, touch or feed a service animal unless you have asked and received permission from the owner/handler.
• Do not deliberately startle a service animal or attempt to separate it from its owner/handler.

If it is not apparent that the dog (or miniature horse) is a service animal, the University has the right to request/ask for:

• Affirmation that the service animal is required due to disability and
• A description of the specific tasks or work the animal has been trained to perform.

Students who live in university residences and have a need for an emotional support animal in their room must contact the campus office listed in the Restricted Areas section prior to bringing the animal into the residence.  

RESTRICTED AREAS

The University may prohibit the use of service animals in certain locations because of health and safety restrictions (e.g., when the animal’s presence could compromise the integrity of research or teaching, present a health or safety risk, or put the service animal in danger). Restricted areas may include, but are not limited to: research laboratories, classrooms with research or demonstration animals, areas where protective clothing is necessary, custodial closets, boiler rooms, facility equipment rooms, wood and metal shops, and rooms with heavy machinery.

All faculty and staff (including temporary staff and independent contractors), students, and visitors to the University who utilize a service animal and believe they will need to access a restricted area must first request access by contacting the campus office listed below. Requests should be made as far in advance as possible to allow adequate time for review of the request through an interactive process with the requester and for consultation with relevant university representatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ANIMAL OWNERS/HANDLERS

Service animals are the sole responsibility of the owner/handler. The owner/handler is responsible for the overall health and well-being of the animal, including all costs associated with the animal’s care, living arrangements, and any property damage caused by the animal.

Service animals on campus must:

• be current on all vaccinations;
• wear an owner identification tag at all times;
• be licensed per local laws and ordinances;
• be in good health;
• be under the full control of the owner/handler at all times.

The owner/handler must follow local ordinances in cleaning up the service animal’s waste. Individuals with disabilities who physically cannot clean up after their own service animal are not required to pick up and dispose of feces. 

REMOVAL OF ANIMALS

Service animals may be removed from University facilities or grounds in certain situations, including if the animal:

• is unreasonably disruptive and not brought under the control of the owner/handler;
• poses a threat to the health or safety of an individual(s);
• would cause a fundamental alteration to a university program, service or activity; or
• is not housebroken.

EVALUATING REQUESTS FOR ACCESS TO RESTRICTED AREAS

When a request to bring a service animal into a restricted area is received, the office evaluating the request must consult with the relevant university representative(s) as follows:

1. For any space where other animals are present for the purposes of research or teaching, consult with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and the applicable faculty member or laboratory manager.
2. For any space where activities occur that require certain safety and/or sanitary standards to be met (e.g., food preparation, medical treatment, research involving chemicals, etc.), consult with the applicable unit head. If certain biological, chemical or radiological hazards exist, additional consultation with the appropriate oversight committee is required as follows: the Institutional Biosafety Committee, the Chemical and Laboratory Safety Committee, or the Radiation Safety Committee.

When evaluating requests, only limited inquiries into the need for the service animal are allowed. Representatives may consult the following resources or contact the Office of Legal Counsel for guidance on appropriate questions they may ask about the service animal:

1. U.S. Department of Justice Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
2. U.S. Department of Justice ADA Requirements – Service Animals
3. ADA National Network FAQ: How can I tell if an animal is really a service animal and not a pet?

RESOLUTION OF GRIEVANCES

In the event the requesting individual disagrees with an accommodation determination, the individual is encouraged to contact the office that made the determination to attempt to resolve the issue informally. If the grievance is not resolved to the individual’s satisfaction, they may file a complaint under the University’s Procedures for Resolving Complaints of Discrimination and Harassment.