Assistance Animal Policy

Permitted Access

Individuals with disabilities may be accompanied by their Service Animal on all University of Oklahoma campuses, with minimal exception, where members of the public or participants in services, programs, or activities are allowed.  Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a Service Animal is allowed access much in the same way an individual with a mobility device is able to access public spaces.

Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not Service Animals.  In some cases, the University may permit miniature horses on campus, consistent with applicable law.

By law, a Service Animal must meet the following to be permitted as a Service Animal: it must be trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, be housebroken, nonaggressive, under control and not cause undue burden to the University.

Documentation/Registration

Federal law does not require the individual using a Service Animal to provide documentation that the animal has been trained as a Service Animal.  In instances in which the disability is not observable, any University employee with a need to know may ask the individual presenting with or asking to use a Service Animal only these two questions to determine whether the animal is a Service Animal:

1. Is the dog a Service Animal that is required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

If there are any concerns or questions related to the individual’s response to these two questions, employees should contact the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center for further assistance. 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• It is important that the University does not exclude an individual presenting with or asking to use a Service Animal based solely on the answers to the questions that the individual provides unless that animal is posing undue threat or harm to other individuals or is behaving in a disruptive manner.  In these instances, University members may request that the individual remove the Service Animal from the area for a temporary period of time until the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center is able to assist.  University members must contact the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center as soon as possible with information about the individual and the incident.
• Individuals with Service Animals should contact the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center to inform the office of their identity and the identity of their animal.  While registration is not mandatory unless accommodations are also needed, individuals who use Service Animals are encouraged to meet with an ADRC team member who will collect basic information, such as the name of both the individual and animal, job or task the animal performs, and contact information for the individual.  This information is used only for identification.  Employees of the University will follow expectations under V.B.2 below.
• Emotional Support Animals do not meet the regulatory definition of a Service Animal and are therefore not entitled to the same access to University facilities that Service Animals are allowed.

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Permitted Access

Oklahoma law includes a provision permitting a trainer who is in the process of training a Service Animal to be afforded the same disability access rights as those afforded an individual with a trained Service Animal:

“…any dog trainer from a recognized training center, when in the act of training guide, signal, or service dogs shall be entitled to have with him or her a guide, signal, or service dog specifically trained or being trained for that purpose…”  7 Okla. Stat.  19.1.

Because Service Animals In-Training in Oklahoma are provided access rights only when accompanied by a trainer from a recognized training center, they are generally not allowed to be on University property except where pets are generally allowed.  Puppies that are being trained in preparation for formal service animal training are also typically not allowed on University property except in areas in which pets are generally allowed.

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Permitted Access

Federal law governs the use of Emotional Support Animals.  An Emotional Support Animal is not trained to perform a specific task or work for the individual but provides, per medical or mental health documentation, emotional support to the individual user.

Under the Fair Housing Act, Emotional Support Animals are allowed only in an individual’s residence. They are not allowed to accompany an individual to class, to University residences other than that of the individual using the animal, or to any other places on campus where a pet is not allowed. 

As described in further detail below, the ADRC may, however, determine that permitting an Emotional Support Animal to accompany the individual to areas of campus beyond University housing is a reasonable accommodation for documented disabilities.

Documentation/Registration

1. University students who are requesting to have an Emotional Support Animal on campus must register with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.  Steps for registration are as follows:
   • Provide appropriate supporting documentation to the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). The Director of the ADRC will review documentation within 15 University business days.
   • Once appropriate documentation has been received (generally from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professional) and reviewed, the ADRC will contact the individual requesting to use an Emotional Support Animal through their OU or OUHSC email account and advise the individual with the next steps.  
   • The determination of whether the Emotional Support Animal meets the qualifications of a reasonable accommodation is made by ADRC staff, based on whether the documentation provided is from a qualified and current provider and supports that:
     • The individual has a disability
     • The animal is necessary to afford the individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a University residence dwelling and/or other areas where pets are permitted on campus
     • The animal is an active part of a treatment plan for the individual
     • There is an identifiable relationship between the disability and the assistance or support the animal provides.

IMPORTANT NOTES:  

• An Emotional Support Animal is not allowed to be on campus, including in University housing, except in areas where pets are generally allowed otherwise, until the individual has completed the required registration process. Individuals are encouraged to begin the process to request an Emotional Support Animal accommodation, which can take 30 University business days or longer to finalize, as soon as possible.
• Employees of the University - Employees of the University who are requesting to use a Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal in the workplace must comply with the Documentation/Registration requirements for Emotional Support Animals, above.  These requirements are consistent with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which provides that all Assistance Animals must be registered with the employing entity.  For further information about this process, please contact Human Resources on your campus. 

Exceptions for Emotional Support Animals

Individuals with disabilities may request from the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center approval to have their Emotional Support Animal accompany them to areas of the campus in addition to their University residence and areas where pets are generally not permitted.  

The ADRC will have an interactive discussion with the individual, review any documentation to support the individual’s need for the Emotional Support Animal to accompany them to other areas of campus, and give consideration to the type of animal and other relevant factors.   Emotional Support Animals are not allowed in other areas of campus until this process has been completed and ADRC approval has been given in writing.

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The University may exclude a Service Animal, Service Animal In-Training, or Emotional Support Animal from campus if:

• Its presence fundamentally alters the nature of a program or activity;
• The animal engages in inappropriate behavior and the individual does not take effective action to control the behavior;
• The animal presents as a direct threat to an individual
• Its presence imposes an undue burden on the University
• The animal is not housebroken; for example, it is not trained to control waste elimination (excepting illness or rare accidents), or its cage or crate is not cleaned regularly.

The University may restrict a Service Animal, Service Animal In-Training, or Emotional Support Animal from areas of campus such as procedure rooms, pools, and other areas where sterility and sanitation rules apply, exceptions to which could place individuals or other animals at risk and/or present an undue burden on the University.

In considering whether a Service Animal, Service Animal In-Training, or Emotional Support Animal poses a direct threat, is in violation of the guidelines under VI.A, or creates undue burden to the University, the University, through the ADRC, will make an individualized assessment based on reasonable judgment and current medical knowledge, and taking into account factors such as these:

• The nature, duration, and extent of the risk
• The probability that the risk will actually occur, or will occur again
• The severity of the risk
• Whether a reasonable modification of policies, practices, procedures or implementation of an auxiliary aid or service will mitigate the risk or the likelihood of re-occurrence of the risk
• Nature and cost to allow the animal
• Overall financial resources required, including for safety, number employed, and other impacts

In the event that restriction, suspension, or removal of the Service Animal, Service Animal In-Training, or Emotional Support Animal from previously approved campus areas has been determined to be necessary, the University, through the ADRC, will provide a written statement to the individual with a disability detailing the reason for the evaluation determination and alternatives or options for the individual and Assistance Animal. 

• Should it be deemed necessary to either suspend or remove the animal from campus, the individual will be afforded the opportunity to participate in the event or activity, for example, to attend the class, without the use of the Assistance Animal.  Alternative reasonable accommodations will be considered and provided by the ADRC for the individual, as appropriate.

Should a situation arise in which an individual with a Service Animal, Service Animal In- training, or Emotional Support Animal is in proximity to a person with an allergy or phobia of the animal, the person with the allergy or phobia should contact the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center to determine whether the condition meets the definition of a disability.  If so, and if the person requests, the ADRC will work to accommodate both individuals.

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The University is not responsible for the care or supervision of an Assistance Animal. 

• Individuals with disabilities are responsible for the control of their Assistance Animals at all times and must comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations, including vaccination, licensure requirements, animal health requirements, and leash laws.
• An Assistance Animal shall be restrained with a harness, leash, or other tether, unless an individual’s disability precludes the use of a restraint or the restraint would interfere with the Assistance Animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks for which it is trained. If the animal is not tethered, it must be otherwise under the individual’s control, whether by voice control, signals, or other effective means.
• Individuals with Assistance Animals are responsible for ensuring the immediate clean-up and proper disposal of all animal waste.
• Although the University may not charge an individual with a disability a surcharge for an Assistance Animal, it may impose charges for damages caused by the animal in the same manner the University imposes charges for damages caused by other pets permitted on campus.  The individual is expected to pay these costs at the time of repair or when moving out of the residence, whichever the University requires.
• Individuals with Assistance Animals may not leave an Assistance Animal unattended or in the care of another individual in University facilities or on University property, overnight or longer, even if the animal is crated. 

It is the responsibility of the individual with an Assistance Animal to ensure that the animal is in a crate, cage, or otherwise secured when the individual is out of the residence during the day and/or when University personnel, such as maintenance workers, are in the residence.  The University will make every effort to notify the individual prior to entering the residence; however, the animal is expected to be secured anytime the individual is away, as emergencies may occur that require University personnel to enter the residence.

1. The individual with an Assistance Animal must provide emergency contact information to University Housing.  This emergency contact may not be another University student or employee unless the individual is also a parent/guardian of the individual using the Assistance Animal.  
2. If the emergency contact cannot be reached within a reasonable time, up to but not to exceed 24 hours, the University may contact Animal Welfare to take possession of the animal. Any costs to recover the animal from Animal Welfare are the sole responsibility of the individual using the Assistance Animal.  
3. Note that the 24-hour period is the maximum waiting period; if circumstances warrant, Animal Welfare may be contacted sooner or immediately.

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Allow Service Animals to accompany individuals with disabilities in all areas (with minor exceptions) of campus.

1. Do not ask the individual for specific information about the disability.
2. Do not ask the individual to have the Service Animal demonstrate work or a task.
3. Do not pet, interact with, or otherwise involve yourself with the Assistance Animal without prior permission from the individual.
4. Do not intentionally tease or startle the Assistance Animal.
5. Do not separate the individual from the Service Animal or expect the individual to separate from the Service Animal.
6. Contact the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center with any questions or concerns regarding Assistance Animals.

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