The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as, "A service animal as per the ADA is defined as: “Any dog that is 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. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the owner's disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, . . . retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.”
Service Animals on Campus
For an individual to qualify for having a service animal on campus:
- The student must have a disability as defined by the ADA;
- The accompanying animal must be trained to do specific tasks for the qualified individual; and
- Students must be approved by Student Success if the service animal will be housed or present on campus so that accommodations can be coordinated.
If the definition of a service animal is not met and the student is living in campus housing, the student may alternatively apply through the Housing ESA Approval Process to use the animal as an emotional support animal (limited to campus housing only).
Rights and Responsibilities for Service Animals on Campus
The owner of the service animal is responsible for…
- Attending to and being in full control of the service animal at all times. A service animal shall have a harness, leash, or other tether unless:
- the owner is unable to use a harness, leash or tether;
- or using a harness, leash, or tether will interfere with the animal’s ability to safely and effectively perform its duties.
- Ensuring that the service animal is wearing a leash, harness or cape that identifies the animal as a service animal at all times when on duty anywhere on campus.
- Covering the costs of care necessary for the service animal’s well-being. The arrangements and responsibilities for the care of a service animal is the sole responsibility of the owner.
- Independently removing or arranging for the removal of the service animal’s waste. Waste must be disposed in a sealed bag in the designated trash area of the residence hall (if in campus housing).
- Complying with local and state licensing laws for animal rights and owner responsibilities.
- Ensuring service animals are current with immunizations and wear a rabies vaccination tag.
- Providing documentation of rabies vaccination to Student Success annually.
- Paying for any damage to University property caused by the animal.
- Ensuring that service animals leave campus with the student anytime the student leaves overnight and/or during University breaks.
- Avoiding the presence of the service animal in any areas of the University in which the use of service animals is prohibited due to health and safety restrictions or danger posed to the animal. Restricted areas may include but are not limited to food preparation areas, research laboratories, boiler rooms, and other areas prohibited by law.
If you have any questions about the policy or what constitutes a service animal, feel free to reach out to Accessibility Services at ADA@HarrisburgU.edu at any time!