Service and Support Animals
The Disability Resource Center (DRC) supports students who use service animals and support animals as part of their disability-related needs. Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks and are generally permitted in campus buildings. Support animals provide therapeutic benefits and are only permitted in university housing with prior DRC approval. Students are responsible for completing the registration process, providing required documentation, and ensuring their animal is properly cared for and under control at all times. The DRC works collaboratively with students and campus partners to ensure equal access while maintaining a safe and respectful campus environment.
Location
Multidisciplinary Science Building 4th Floor
Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Service and Support Animal Access and Guidelines
Service Animals: What to Know
A service animal is a dog (or, in some cases, a miniature horse) that is individually trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a person’s disability. Service animals are working animals—not pets.
Examples of service animal tasks include:
- Guiding individuals who are blind or have low vision
- Alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing
- Assisting with mobility or wheelchair navigation
- Alerting or responding to seizures or medical events
- Providing psychiatric or neurological task support
Service animals in training are also recognized when being trained to perform disability-related tasks.
- Service animals are generally permitted in all campus buildings and facilities open to students.
- Access may be restricted in limited situations due to safety, health, or research integrity concerns.
Handler responsibilities:
- Maintain current vaccinations and health requirements
- Keep the animal under control (leash, harness, or tether unless it interferes with tasks)
- Ensure proper care and supervision at all times
- Clean up and properly dispose of animal waste
- Accept responsibility for any damage caused by the animal
Failure to follow these requirements may result in removal of the animal from campus facilities.
Support Animals (Emotional Support Animals): Key Information
A support animal provides therapeutic benefit that alleviates symptoms of a disability. Support animals do not require specific task training and are only permitted in university housing, not in academic buildings. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA (www.ADA.gov).
To be afforded protection under United States federal law, an individual must meet the federal definition of disability and provide documentation from a qualified medical or mental health professional confirming the disability and the therapeutic benefit and necessity of the emotional support animal as part of the individual’s treatment.
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).
To request a support animal, students must:
- Establish affiliation with the Disability Resource Center (DRC)
- Submit documentation from a qualified professional supporting the need for the animal
- Complete the required DRC forms and registration process
- Receive formal approval from the DRC before bringing the animal to campus housing
Required documentation and materials include:
- Verification form completed by a qualified professional (e.g., physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed counselor)
- Current vaccination records (as applicable)
- Photo of the animal
- Completed Service/Support Animal Roommate Agreement
Housing and campus limitations:
- Support animals are permitted only in the student’s assigned residence hall room unless otherwise approved.
- Animals must be house-trained and appropriately contained outside the residence space.
- Animals larger than 75 pounds may not be permitted due to housing limitations
- Support animals are not permitted in classrooms, dining halls, libraries, or other campus buildings
- Live animals cannot be brought on campus to be fed to emotional support animals.
Student responsibilities:
- Maintain vaccinations and animal health
- Provide proper care and supervision
- Properly dispose of animal waste
- Comply with housing and university policies
- Renew documentation annually
- Cooperate with Residence Life staff to address any animal-related concerns.
Failure to comply may result in removal of the animal and/or referral through the university appeal process. Students may appeal the decision through the Office of Equal Opportunity.
Forms, Policy, and Deadlines
Important Information for Service and Support Animals
Service or Support Animal: Roommate Agreement Form pdf (119.42 KB)
Support Animal: Provider Verification Form pdf (204.33KB)
Policy: Service and Support Animal
Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Request Deadline:
- Fall 2026: Submit by July 30, 2026
- Spring 2027: Submit by January 5, 2027