Service and Support Animal Guidelines

Registration of a service animal is not required, but having a conversation with OLR Disability Staff may generate additional accommodation options.

In all cases, the Owner of the animal is responsible for the animal's behavior.

The Owner of any dog or cat approved to be brought to campus must have a valid license as evidence of current rabies vaccinations or the animal may be subject to removal from campus.

With the exception of service animals, animals are not permitted in University buildings. Except as otherwise provided in the Animals on Campus Policy, animals may not enter any: (a) University building, including but not limited to all residential and non-residential buildings; (b) enclosed or delineated indoor or outdoor athletic or recreational facility; or (c) officially reserved or scheduled outdoor event space on campus.

As provided in Animals on Campus Policy, animals not prohibited from entry include: (a) Service Animals or Service Animals in Training accompanying a person with a disability or an authorized Service Animal trainer; (b) Therapy Animals in the therapeutic setting accompanied by the appropriate Owner; (c) Support Animals in the Owner's University housing assignment; and (d) animals not included under this Policy.

Service Animals

Service animals are allowed to accompany students in all areas where they are normally allowed to go. According to the The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations, a service animal is "any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability…." and "… emotional support, well-being, comfort or companionship do not constitute work or tasks."

While registration is not required, students are encouraged to inform the Office of Learning Resources about their service animal so the office can assist with any issues that may arise.

Emotional Support Animal (ESA)

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is not considered a service animal and is subject to additional restrictions. An ESA provides therapeutic contact to improve physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning to a person.

An approved ESA is allowed in a student's residence (in their room or the common spaces within the residence) and must remain under the student's control at all times. Emotional support animals approved for the residential setting are not permitted in any other building at UD.

In order to be considered for an ESA, students must request this as a formal accommodation. Part of the accommodation process includes securing information from the student and their current provider. Once the student submits a request, please call the office to schedule an appointment. Students can use the EAS Release Form to share information regarding what is needed from a current provider. A photo of the animal and verification of rabies vaccination will be required, where appropriate.

If approved for a support animal, students must sign a Housing Contract Addendum. In addition, students must follow the guidelines for approved service and support animals.

Resources

• American Counseling Association Position Statement on Emotional Support Animals

Fecal matter deposited on University grounds, in a University building, or other facility by any animal brought to campus must be removed immediately and disposed of properly by the owner/handler. The owner/handler must arrange for the removal of fecal matter if he or she is personally unable to perform the task. Failure to clean up after your animal may result in the removal of the animal from campus.

You must maintain good hygiene of your service animal and take preventative measures for flea and odor control. Failure to maintain your animal's hygiene may result in the removal of the animal from campus.

You can choose to have your animal wear some type of commonly recognized symbol that identifies the animal as a service animal, but that does not disclose your disability. This is not required.

Any animal that enters campus must be, at all times, under the complete control of the owner (e.g., leash no longer than six feet, in a crate, or other form of corresponding control). Exceptions are made for Service animals who need to be off leash to perform the work or task (See 28 C.F.R. Section 35.136(d))

An animal, if not properly controlled, may create the risk of hazards that may pose a threat to campus operations.

Animals must not be tethered to a stationary fixture or tree, or left unattended on campus, and any animals found to be tethered, unattended or abandoned may be removed from campus. Animals that are tethered, unattended or abandoned on campus should be reported to Public Safety (937-229-2121).

Animals may not be left unattended overnight in University residences. An Owner must establish a means of securing the animal, if in a University residence, when University employees, contractors or agents work on a University building (i.e., placing the animal in a crate or in another room).

To the extent possible, the animal should be as unobtrusive to other students and the learning environment as possible.

Your animal's behavior is considered your behavior and the animal will be held to the same standard of behavior the University expects of you.

If your animal is disruptive to University business or does not meet the community's behavioral expectations for educational, medical and residential environments, you may be asked to correct the animal's behavior or remove it from the environment. While in public, your animal should be on a leash, unless providing a needed service to you.

If an animal poses a threat to people, property, or the operations of campus, the owner will be required to remove the animal from campus, and the owner is expected to comply with any such removal request.

Although the campus may exclude any service animal that is out of control, it will not exclude the individual with a disability. A corrective action plan may be developed to allow the animal to return to campus e.g. muzzling a barking animal, refresher training for the animal and the student, etc.

Your service animal should not:

• Sniff people, restaurant tables or the personal belongings of others.
• Display any behaviors or noises that are disruptive to others unless necessary as part of the service being provided the student.
• Engage in personal grooming in public settings.
• Block an aisle or passageway for fire egress.

The general public should avoid:

• Restricting the service animal or person with a disability.
• Asking for details about the person's disability(ies).
• Petting a service animal as it may distract them from the task at hand.
• Feeding the service animal.
• Deliberately startling a service animal.
• Separating or attempting to separate a student from his/her service animal.
• Hesitating to ask a student if she/he would like assistance if there seems to be confusion.
• If you have a disability that may be affected by the presence of animals, please contact the Office of Learning Resources or Human Resources.
• Report any service animals who misbehave or any owners (or other individuals) who mistreat their service animals to Public Safety and Office of Learning Resources.

There are certain situations where it may be considered unsafe for service animals. This may include medical facilities, laboratories, mechanical rooms or any other place where the safety of the animal or student may be threatened.

When it is determined unsafe for the student and service animal to be in one of these areas, reasonable accommodations will be provided to assure the student equal access to the activity.

The decision regarding safety of the service animal and student will be determined through consultation with the student, Office of Learning Resources disability staff and may include faculty from the designated program.

Any emergency response efforts should make every effort to keep you and your service animal together; however, the priority should be to ensure your safety, which may necessitate leaving the animal behind in certain emergency evacuation situations.

You are encouraged to develop an emergency evacuation plan for you and your service animal.

The University, at its sole discretion, retains the right to take action to remove any animal from campus if the University determines the health or safety of others, destruction of property or disturbance to University operations warrants such removal.

The removal of any animal and any necessary cleaning, repairs and/or pest control will be done at the expense of the owner.

The owner may also be subject to disciplinary action.

This action may also extend to cases involving service and support animals.

Animals on campus whose condition, health, or behavior appears to present a threat to the health or safety of any member of the campus community to any other animal, or the animal itself, should be reported to Public Safety (937-229-2121).

The University may take reasonable efforts to remove a confined animal if the safety of the animal is jeopardized. The University is not liable for any associated cost or damage associated with such removal.