At Robeson Library, we recently had an experience that called attention to the guidelines for having service animals on campus, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to remind everyone at the Libraries about the relevant university policies and procedures.
The Office of Disability Services website does a great job of describing the different types of animals you may see on campus, where they are allowed to accompany students, and what questions faculty and staff are permitted by law to ask about these companions:
What’s the difference between a service animal and an emotional support animal?
Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. A service animal is considered a working animal, rather than a pet.
An emotional support animal (ESA) is different from a service animal. An ESA provides support and comfort to individuals with a documented disability that would require such support. ESAs are not required to go through training and are not limited to dogs.
Where are service animals and emotional support animals permitted on campus?
Service animals can accompany their handlers in any area where the public is normally allowed to go. This includes residence halls, classrooms, student centers, libraries, dining halls, etc.
Emotional support animals are permitted only in the student’s assigned living space. Emotional support animals are not permitted in public spaces such as classrooms, student centers, dining halls, or libraries.
Animals affiliated with the Companion Animal Club and the Seeing-Eye Puppy Club are permitted in most public spaces as well, but students must ask for their professor’s permission before bringing the animal to class.
How can I identify whether an animal is a service animal or an emotional support animal?
Service animals and ESAs are not required to wear a special harness or garment that identifies them as a service or support animal.
When in doubt, faculty and staff members may ask a student only two questions about the animal:
- Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
Faculty and staff cannot inquire about the person’s disability, request medical documentation or training documentation, or request to see the dog demonstrate its ability to perform a specific task.
For more information, visit the Office of Disability Services’s column about on-campus animals or view their extended FAQ, which cover topics including allergies, disruptive behavior, and fear of animals.
