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Animals on Campus

What are animal accommodations?

Individuals with disabilities may utilize animals to accommodate their disability in some circumstances. Students and their animals must follow all relevant processes outlined under University policy 5-12.14. If an allergy or other condition renders another member of the university community unable to share space with an animal, that individual may contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) or Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA), as applicable, to discuss whether a disability accommodation for them is appropriate for that setting.   

There are two types of animal accommodations: assistance (emotional support) animals and service animals.  

Assistance (Emotional Support) Animals

What are assistance or emotional support animals?

An assistance animal is any animal that works, provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. An assistance animal does not necessarily need to be trained and is not necessarily limited to any specific type of animal. An assistance animal is restricted to the residence of the individual, and may not accompany the resident to other areas of the university without an accommodation from SAS. Assistance animals are not required to wear a vest or other item identifying themselves as such. 

How can students get an assistance animal accommodation?

To request an assistance animal accommodation, students should connect with SAS. In addition to documentation needed to establish a person’s disability, SAS may require a statement from a reliable third party indicating that the animal would provide emotional support or other assistance that would ameliorate one or more symptoms or effects of the disability. A “reliable third party” is someone who is familiar with the individual’s disability and the necessity for the requested accommodation. A reliable third-party includes, but is not limited to someone who provides medical care, therapy or counseling to persons with disabilities, including, but not limited to, doctors, physician assistants, psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers.  

SAS, in consultation with the student and other parties, as appropriate, may consider the criteria below in determining whether the presence of the animal is reasonable in the making of housing assignments for individuals with assistance animals: 

  • Whether the animal poses or has posed in the past a direct threat to the individual or others; 
  • Whether the animal causes or has caused excessive damage to university property beyond reasonable wear and tear; 
  • Whether the size of the animal is too large for available assigned housing space; 
  • Whether the animal’s presence otherwise violates individuals’ right to peace and quiet enjoyment; and 
  • Whether the animal is housebroken or is unable to live with others in a reasonable manner. 

Where can assistance animals go?

An approved accommodation through SAS specifically for the assistance animal is required before a handler can bring it into non-public areas of campus (this includes the handler’s residence hall assignment).  The handler’s approved accommodation will specify the parameters of the use of the animal, including which non-public areas of campus the assistance animal is permitted. Without specific approval, assistance animals are restricted to the student’s individually assigned residence hall unit. Assistance animals are not permitted in shared residence hall spaces, including lounges, without explicit approval from SAS.

If approved, SAS will notify University Housing of the accommodation. Only the type of animal and parameters of the animal’s approval will be shared; at no time is disability information shared outside of SAS. This information may be shared with University Housing personnel who need this information to do their jobs, including Residence Assistants.  Students must meet with University Housing to discuss their rights and responsibilities prior to bringing the animal into the residence hall. This includes waste disposal, areas for natural relief, and behavioral expectations. Students may choose to place an Animal in Residence sticker on their door to alert University Housing staff and first responders of the animal’s presence. 

If the student is assigned to a living space with one or more roommates or suitemates, University Housing may also share the approval of the animal with the designated roommates prior to move-in or once the assistance animal accommodation is confirmed. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss the presence of an assistance animal with their roommates prior to move-in and to outline parameters of the animal in their roommate agreement. ϳԹ reserves the right to assign an individual with an assistance animal to a single room without a roommate upon availability. 

Student handler responsibilities:

  1. Keep the animal within the approved residence hall unit. Animals are permitted to leave the residence hall unit for natural relief but must be in an animal carrier or on a leash or harness. 
  2. Keep the animal under control at all times. At no time should the animal be without a leash or harness or not in an animal carrier. Animals found running loose may be captured and removed from University Housing. The handler is responsible for ensuring that the assistance animal is contained, as appropriate, when the owner is not present during the day while attending classes or other activities. 
  3. Clean up animal waste. The handler is required to clean up after and properly dispose of the animal’s waste in a safe and sanitary manner and, when provided, must use animal relief areas designated by the University. 
  4. Follow all relevant laws and policies regarding animals. Assistance animal handlers must abide by current city, county, and state ordinances, laws, and/or regulations pertaining to licensing, vaccination, and other requirements for animals. It is the owner’s responsibility to know and understand these ordinances, laws, and regulations. The University may require documentation of such compliance, including license or vaccination records. Additionally, the handler must abide by all residence hall policies and ensure that the animal does not interfere with the routine activities of the residence or cause difficulties for individuals who reside there. 
  5. Ensure the animal is well cared for. Any evidence of mistreatment, abuse, neglect, or leaving the assistance animal unattended for unreasonably long periods of time, such as overnight or multiple days, may result in immediate removal of the assistance animal and/or discipline for the responsible individual based on the University Student Code of Conduct and University Housing’s Hallways Handbook. 
  6. Have a back-up plan and emergency evacuation strategy. At no time will University staff provide care or food for any assistance animal including, but not limited to, removing the animal during emergency evacuation for events such as a fire alarm. Emergency personnel will determine when or if it is appropriate to remove the animal during an emergency and may not be held responsible for care, damage to, or loss of the animal. Additionally, assistance animals may not be left overnight in University housing to be cared for by any individual other than the owner. If the owner is to be absent from their resident hall overnight or longer, the animal must accompany the owner. The owner is responsible for ensuring that the assistance animal is contained, as appropriate, when the owner is not present during the day while attending classes or other activities. 
  7. Be responsible for property damage. An assistance animal handler may be charged for any damage caused by the animal beyond reasonable wear and tear to the same extent that other individuals are responsible for damages beyond reasonable wear and tear. The owner’s living accommodations may also be inspected for fleas, ticks, or other pests, and if pests are detected through inspection, the owner will be billed for the expense of any pest treatment above and beyond standard pest management in the residence halls. The University will bill the student’s account for property damage charges in the same manner that all students are billed for damages in the residence halls. 
  8. Notify SAS if the assistance animal is no longer needed. The animal is allowed in University housing only as long as necessary because of the owner’s disability. The owner must notify SAS in writing if the assistance animal is no longer needed or is no longer in residence. To replace an assistance animal, the new animal must be necessary because of the owner’s disability and the owner must follow SAS accommodation request procedures. As with all housing accommodations, students with assistance animals are responsible for alerting SAS of their intent to use the assistance animal accommodation in subsequent semesters or academic years.  

Removal of the assistance animal

Students with assistance animals who have questions, concerns, or complaints regarding their utilization of an assistance animal on campus should contact SAS. Handlers found to be falsely characterizing their animal as an assistance animal may be subject to discipline in accordance with other applicable university policies. 

The University may require the owner to remove the assistance animal from University housing if: 

  • The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or causes substantial property damage to the property of others, including University property; 

  • The animal’s presence results in a fundamental alteration of a University program; 

  • The owner does not comply with the owner’s responsibilities set forth above; or 

  • The animal or its presence creates an unmanageable disturbance or interference with the University community.

SAS will make individualized determinations based on evidence of the behavior of the particular animal and resident on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with University Housing, the resident, and other parties as appropriate. Should the assistance animal be removed from the premises, the owner is expected to fulfill their housing obligations for the rest of the housing contract. 

Contact your Access Advisor with questions or concerns.
 

Service Animals

What are services animals?

Service animals are dogs (or occasionally, miniature horses) that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.  

Service dogs can accompany a person with a disability in any area the handler can be, unless the dog’s presence would compromise a sterile environment. University employees should contact SAS before denying a service animal entry to such an environment. The handler is not required to have an accommodation on file with SAS for a service dog, though handlers are encouraged to contact SAS to discuss other potential accommodation needs. Service dogs are not required to wear a vest or other item identifying themselves as such.

What documentation is required for service animals?

The handler is not required to provide documentation or “proof” of the handler’s disability or the service animal’s training. Unless the need for the service animal is readily apparent, university employees with responsibility for maintaining or controlling that specific area of campus may ask individuals the following questions in order to determine whether an animal is a service animal: 

  • "Is this dog required because of a disability?" and if the answer is yes,

  • "What work or task is the dog trained to do?"

If the handler answers no to the first question or is unable to answer either question, the animal may not be a service animal. 

Use of the service animal must not fundamentally alter the nature of the university service, program, or activity. Handlers found to be falsely characterizing their animal as a service animal may be subject to discipline in accordance with other applicable university policies. 

What are the guidelines for service dogs in lab settings?

These guidelines are intended to ensure the safety of both students and service dogs within the laboratory environment. Because hazardous chemicals, open flames, glassware, and electrical equipment pose unique risks, Student Accessibility Services (SAS) recommends the following precautions:

  • Alternative seating at the end of benches or using gates, pens, or kennels (for kennel-trained service dogs) may be appropriate. Students should be permitted to keep the service dog as close as is safe for the student and the dog. Students may wish to visit the lab before the class to familiarize themselves and their dog with the lab's layout and its smells and sounds. 
  • Service dogs entering laboratories must be similarly protected as is expected of the student to prevent exposure to hazardous chemicals, broken glass or other hazards that might be present in the laboratory environment. This equipment would be provided by the owner and include disposable or reusable boots to cover the feet, eye protection, and/or lab coats.  SAS recommends disposable, plastic-backed, absorbent lab paper or pet pads for the dog to lie on rather than direct contact with the floor. If appropriate protective equipment is not provided, the service dog may not be permitted into the lab. 
  • Service dogs in labs are expected to maintain the same level of appropriate behavior as in other University settings. This includes no jumping, barking unless in the proper context, growling, or interfering with lab activities. Interaction with the dog is by the owner's permission and may only be permitted outside the laboratory. 
  • Service dog access can be restricted if the presence of the dog can interfere with the outcomes of the experiments or if substances used can be hazardous to a dog. Access should not be denied without consultation between the student, lab instructor or manager, and SAS. Students and faculty should contact SAS at 330-672-3391 or sas@kent.edu with questions or concerns. 

Contact your Access Advisor with questions or concerns.

Service Dogs in Training

Under , handlers of service animals (dogs) in training are afforded the same rights as the handlers of fully-trained service animals (dogs). This means that service animals (dogs) in training may attend class, accompany trainers to dining facilities, and take part in other campus activities. There are a number of organizations that train service dogs, such as Paws for a Cause, Freedom Paws, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. All service dogs in training are required to have insurance through their sponsoring organization. Most service dogs in training will wear a vest identifying them as service dogs in training, but identification is not required. Student handlers are responsible for ensuring that their dogs are registered with ϳԹ Division of Student Life using this form.

Assistance and Service Animal Emergency Contact Form

Complete to provide contact information for another person who can care for your service or assistance animal in an emergency. It is the handler's responsibility to discuss arrangements with this person in advance. ϳԹ will only contact this person in the event of an emergency that renders the handler unable to care for the animal or make arrangements on their own. For questions about this form, please email sas@kent.edu. 

Service Dogs in Training Registration Form

Complete this form if you are the handler, co-handler, or sitter of a service dog in training. Your information must be on file prior to bringing the service dog in training into campus buildings or into outdoor areas with restricted access (such as athletic facilities). Prior to completing this form, be sure you have an electronic copy of your organization's insurance certificate. 

This information must be updated annually, or sooner if handler or animal information change. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Amanda Feaster at afeaster@kent.edu. 

Guidelines for Interacting with Animals

In general, follow these guidelines when encountering a service or assistance animal:

  • Do not pet a service dog or a service dog in training without the permission of the owner/ handler as this may distract the animal from the task at hand. 
  • Do not feed a service dog or service dog in training. 
  • Do not separate or attempt to separate a service dog or service dog in training from their owner/handler. 
  • Allergies or fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access to people using service dogs. Most allergies to animals are caused by direct contact with the animal. A separate space may be adequate to avoid allergic reactions. However, access should not be denied without consultation between the student, instructor, and SAS. If others are afraid of a service dog or service dog in training, a solution may be to allow enough space for that person to avoid getting close to the service dog. 
  • The service dog or service dog in training must be under the owner/handler’s control at all times. It may be appropriate to ask the owner/handler to remove the dog from the premises if the dog is not under control of the owner/handler (e.g. excessive barking, poses a threat to the safety of others, etc.). 
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