Service, Emotional Support and Therapy Animals

A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to perform tasks or do work related to a person's disability. Service animals are recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act regardless of whether they have been certified or licensed by a training program or government agency. 

Employees with service animals do not need prior approval to bring their animal to their workplace. However, HRS encourages all employees with service animals to notify HRS that the animal will be present on campus. This allows HRS to work proactively with the employee and supervisor if any concerns arise, particularly in laboratories, food preparation areas, or other restricted spaces. 

Service animals are not required to wear identification. Service animals in training must wear a visible device such as a leash, collar, cape, harness, or backpack identifying them as a service animal in training. The written identification must be legible and visible from at least 20 feet away. 

An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that provides a documented therapeutic benefit to a person with a diagnosed disability. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not trained to perform specific tasks. 

Employees seeking approval for an emotional support animal in their workspace or in university housing must complete the HRS reasonable accommodation process. HRS may inform affected individuals such as officemates if the animal's presence could impact them, particularly if there are allergy concerns. 

Emotional support animals are not required to wear identification. 

A therapy animal is an animal used in a structured therapeutic or wellness program or event. Therapy animals are not the same as service animals or emotional support animals. 

Employees seeking approval for a therapy animal must obtain approval from the Department Head or Director of the unit overseeing the program or event. This approval does not extend to other buildings or facilities. If approved, the employee must complete and sign the Animal Registration Form and User/Owner Statement, and must provide proof that the animal has been trained and has the temperament appropriate for a therapy animal. 

Therapy animals must wear a visible device identifying them as a therapy animal. The written identification must be legible and visible from at least 20 feet away. 

Therapy animals are only permitted in the specific location for the specific period of the approved University activity or program. 

• Service animal: No prior approval required. Notify HRS that your animal will be on campus. 

• Emotional Support animal: Contact HRS to begin the reasonable accommodation process before bringing the animal to campus. 

• Therapy animal: Obtain Department Head or Director approval, then complete the Animal Registration Form and User/Owner Statement with HRS. 

For emotional support animals, HRS will work with you through the interactive accommodation process to determine whether the animal constitutes a reasonable accommodation for your situation. Documentation from a health care provider may be required. For therapy animals, submit proof of training or certification to your Department Head or Director along with your approval request.

• Following all applicable local, county, state, and university policies related to animal care and possession 

• Providing all necessary care including veterinary services, grooming, food, and waste disposal 

• Keeping the animal under control at all times through a leash, harness, or carrier, except when in a private closed office or when the disability precludes the use of a restraint 

• All damages caused by their animal 

The University may ask an owner to remove their animal from a campus location if the animal is not under control, is causing an unmanageable disturbance, poses a health or safety risk, or is in an area where it does not have approval to be. If an animal is removed, the owner must be allowed to continue participating in the activity or program without the animal.

University staff may only ask two questions: is the animal required because of a disability, and what task has the animal been trained to perform? You cannot be asked to provide documentation, identification, or proof of certification for a service animal. Additional questions may only be asked in unusual circumstances and only after consulting the Office for Disability Equity and the University's Office of Legal Counsel.

That depends on whether it is determined to be a reasonable accommodation through the HRS interactive process. Contact HRS to begin the process before bringing the animal to campus.

Pets are permitted on campus grounds outdoors without prior approval. Pets are not permitted inside campus buildings.