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 the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance (EOC), 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 Animals

What are assistance animals?

An assistance animal is a common household animal approved as a disability-related housing accommodation when the animal is determined to provide support or assistance that mitigates one or more identified functional limitations associated with a student’s disability and is necessary to support the student’s equal access to university housing. Assistance animals do not necessarily require specialized training.

Requests involving animals that may present heightened health, safety, sanitation, or operational concerns within the communal residential environment may require additional individualized review and may be determined to be unreasonable within university housing.

Students approved for an assistance animal accommodation are required to complete the Animal Conversation Course in Canvas prior to bringing the animal into university housing and must comply with University Housing procedures related to assistance animal identification and residential notification, including maintaining a university-issued assistance animal identification card and displaying a university-issued “Animal in Residence” notice on the assigned residential unit door.

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 student’s disability, students are required to provide documentation from a licensed healthcare or mental health provider with personal knowledge of the student’s disability-related functional limitations and who is not related to the student. The documentation must support the disability-related need for the assistance animal within the residential environment.

Documentation should support the relationship between the student’s identified functional limitations and the necessity of the assistance animal to provide equal access to university housing as part of a disability-related housing accommodation.

Documentation should include:

The student’s disability;
The student’s current disability-related functional limitations impacting the residential environment;
The specific type of animal for which the accommodation is being requested;
The name or identifying information of the specific animal;
The established history and ongoing role of the assistance animal in mitigating disability-related barriers impacting the student’s use of university housing; and
The necessity of the assistance animal to support the student’s equal access to university housing.

SAS will make individualized determinations on a case-by-case basis based on the specific circumstances presented and available information regarding the animal and the student. Such determinations may be made in consultation with University Housing and other relevant University officials. SAS, in consultation with the student and other parties as appropriate, may consider the criteria below when evaluating whether the requested assistance animal is necessary and reasonable as part of a disability-related housing accommodation:

Whether the animal poses or has posed in the past a direct threat to the health or safety of the student or others;
Whether the animal causes or has caused excessive damage to university property beyond reasonable wear and tear;
Whether the animal presents health, sanitation, or operational concerns within the communal residential environment;
Whether the age, size, type, or care requirements of the animal are incompatible with the available housing environment;
Whether the animal’s presence substantially interferes with the ability of others to use and enjoy the residential environment; and
Whether the animal is housebroken, appropriately contained, and able to be maintained in a manner consistent with communal living expectations.

Where can assistance animals go?

Assistance animals approved through SAS are permitted only within the student’s assigned residential unit and designated outdoor areas necessary for natural relief and transit to and from the residential unit. Assistance animals are not permitted in other indoor areas of campus.

If approved, SAS will notify University Housing of the accommodation. Only information necessary to implement the accommodation will be shared. Disability-related information will not be shared outside of SAS except as permitted by law and University policy. Information regarding the approved animal may be shared with University Housing personnel who have a legitimate educational or operational need to know, including Residence Assistants.

If the student is assigned to a living space with one or more roommates or suitemates, University Housing may share information regarding the approved assistance animal with the assigned roommates or suitemates as necessary to facilitate housing operations and residential living arrangements. Students are encouraged to discuss the presence of the assistance animal with roommates or suitemates and address expectations through the roommate agreement process.

Student responsibilities:

Students approved for an assistance animal accommodation are responsible for:

Keeping the animal only within the approved residential unit and designated outdoor areas necessary for natural relief and transit to and from the residential unit.
Maintaining control of the animal at all times. Assistance animals outside of the residential unit must be maintained in an appropriate carrier or on a leash or harness.
Ensuring the animal is safely maintained within the residential unit when the student is not present.
Cleaning up and properly disposing of animal waste in a timely, safe, and sanitary manner.
Complying with all applicable laws, regulations, licensing requirements, vaccination requirements, and University policies. It is the student’s responsibility to know and understand these ordinances, laws, and regulations. The university may require documentation of such compliance, including license or vaccination records.
Ensuring the animal does not create health, sanitation, safety, or operational concerns within the residential environment.
Providing appropriate care for the animal and preventing neglect, mistreatment, or abandonment.
Maintaining an emergency care and evacuation plan for the animal.
Assuming responsibility for any damage, pest treatment, remediation or repair costs resulting from the presence of the animal beyond reasonable wear and tear. Residential units may be inspected for fleas, ticks, or other pests, and students may be billed for treatment costs above and beyond standard residence hall pest management. Property damage and related charges may be assessed to the student's account in the same manner as other residence hall damage charges.
Notifying SAS if the assistance animal is no longer needed, is no longer residing in University housing, or is being replaced. Any replacement animal must be necessary because of the student's disability and approved through SAS in accordance with accommodation request procedures. Students are also responsible for notifying SAS of their intent to continue utilizing the assistance animal accommodation in subsequent semesters or academic years.

Removal of the assistance animal

The university may require removal of the assistance animal from university housing if:

The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of the student or others;
The animal causes substantial damage to university property or the property of others beyond reasonable wear and tear;
The animal presents health, sanitation, or operational concerns that cannot be reasonably mitigated within the residential environment;
The animal's presence results in a fundamental alteration of a university program or service;
The student fails to comply with applicable University Housing procedures or responsibilities related to the approved assistance animal; or
The animal's presence creates a substantial disturbance or interference with the residential community.

In situations where the assistance animal is believed to cause harm, damage, or a substantial disturbance, the university may use housing and conduct procedures to hold the student accountable. This includes holding the student responsible for repairs or replacements and the potential removal of the animal. If an assistance animal is removed from university housing, the student remains responsible for fulfilling all obligations associated with the housing contract. In this circumstance, students may meet with SAS to determine if alternative accommodations are appropriate.

Students found to be falsely representing an animal as an approved assistance animal may be subject to discipline in accordance with applicable university policies.

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 dogs. This means that service dogs in training may attend class, accompany trainers to dining facilities, and take part in other campus activities. Service dogs in training must be affiliated with a nonprofit training organization and covered under that organization’s liability insurance. There are a number of organizations that train service dogs, such as Paws for a Cause, Freedom Paws, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Most service dogs in training will wear a vest identifying them as service dogs in training, but identification is not required.

Handlers of service dogs in training are required to register with �Ը�� University Division of Student Life and provide documentation of the dog’s liability insurance policy prior to bringing the service dog in training into campus buildings or into outdoor areas with restricted access (such as athletic facilities). 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.

Individuals training dogs that are not associated with a training organization or without insurance do not have public access rights until the dog is able to meet the criteria of a service dog.

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. �Ը�� University 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.

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.).

�Ը��