Service and Support Animals

An emotional support animal (ESA) is a companion animal which provides therapeutic benefit, such as alleviating or mitigating some symptoms of the disability, to an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability. Emotional support animals are typically dogs and cats, but may include other animals. To be afforded protection under United States federal law, a person must meet the federal definition of disability and must have a note from a physician or other medical professional stating that the person has that disability and that the emotional support animal provides a benefit for the individual with the disability and is a required aspect of treatment. An animal does not need specific training to become an emotional support animal. In the U.S., federal protection against housing discrimination is afforded under two federal statutes: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (FHAA).

The University of Kentucky requires all emotional animals be registered through the Disability Resource Center prior to coming to campus. Dogs and cats must be housetrained prior to coming to campus and have all of the required state or local vaccinations. Because of the confines of university residential space, animals larger than 75 pounds cannot be placed in the residence hall. The species of animals allowed will be determined by the Disability Resource Center. Unless specifically indicated in writing by the Disability Resource Center, emotional support animals are only permitted in the residence hall where the student resides. During the registration process you will need to make an appointment with the DRC and provide an updated vaccination record for the animal, and completion of the UK Disability Resource Center Support Animal Verification Form, which must be completed by a qualified professional.  While not an exhaustive list, examples of "qualified professionals" include treating physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists and licensed counselors. The student must also provide a copy of the updated vaccination records (as applicable depending on the type of animal), a picture of the animal and completion of the Service/Support Animal Roommate Agreement.  All requisite forms are located at the bottom of this page or can be requested at the DRC at drc@uky.edu or 859-257-2754.

Students seeking to have an emotional support animal will need to complete the online intake and attach the required documentation as noted above. After the intake is received, the DRC will schedule an appointment with the student to review the documentation and the policies and procedures regarding animals on campus. Once that process is complete the animal can reside in the residence hall. Documentation of the continued necessity of the animal must be provided on a yearly basis.

UK personnel are not responsible to provide care or food for any emotional support animal including, but not limited to, removing the animal during emergency evacuation for events such as a fire alarm. Emergency personnel will determine whether to remove the animal and may not be held responsible for the care, damage to, or loss of the animal.

While your animal is on campus you have the following responsibilities:

• Maintain all required vaccinations.
• Maintain control of the animal by leash, harness or tether, or properly contained in an appropriate container any time the animal is outside of your room or common area of the suite style rooms.
• Ensure the animal is well cared for at all times.
• Emotional support animals may not be taken into study rooms, laundry facilities, dining halls or other buildings on campus.
• Work cooperatively with Residence Life staff to resolve issues that might arise due to the presence of the animal.
• Live animals cannot be brought on campus to be fed to emotional support animals.
• Properly contain and dispose of all animal waste in appropriate outside trash containers.

Failure to follow these guidelines may result in the requirement of the removal of the animal from the residence hall. An individual with a disability may be charged for any damage caused by his or her Assistance Animal beyond reasonable wear and tear to the same extent that it charges other individuals for damages beyond reasonable wear and tear. If either of these events occur, the student may appeal the decision through the Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity. The animal will need updated documentation from their treating professional of the necessity of the animal as part of their treatment, and all other required forms and vaccination records on a yearly basis.

More information regarding the University's procedures related to Service Animals, Service Animals in Training and Emotional Support Animals can be found in the link to the policy document below as well as the necessary forms to complete in the animal request process.