A “service animal” is a dog or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.  Service animals include, but are not limited to, guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for the deaf/hard of hearing, and service animals for individuals with physical disabilities and seizure disorders.  Service animals/service dogs are not considered “pets” and are explicitly permitted under state and federal civil rights laws.  The University will require documentation for a service animal consistent with the American with Disabilities Act.

Students with service animals are not required to register with the Disability Services Office (DSO). The DSO maintains a Voluntary Service Animal Registry to support students on campus who use service animals by informing appropriate facility staff of the animal’s presence (including faculty, DPS), informing first responders, and to assist with situations in which the animal’s access is challenged by University community members.  To bring a service animal to campus, we ask that you voluntarily register with the Disability Services Office (DSO) by completing the Voluntary Service Animal Registry form and return it to the DSO.

Students with a service animal who will be residing on-campus in Residence Life housing will need to complete the On-Campus Service Animal Agreement and submit the completed form to the DSO.

Service animals are generally allowed on campus anywhere it is safe for their presence. However, after consultation with the owner/handler, the University may determine if there are any parameters necessary regarding where a service animal is allowed on campus.

When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Faculty/Staff may ask two questions:

(1) Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?

and

(2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

Faculty/Staff cannot ask about the person’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.

Please note: The information contained on this page refers to students and prospective students.  Faculty and staff are encouraged to contact Human Resources for any questions/concerns they may have regarding their need(s) for a service animal.