Stephen F. Austin State University

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Animals on University Property (D-3)

Original Implementation: Unpublished
Last Revision:April 22, 2008

Service animals are welcome in all buildings on campus and may attend any class, meeting, or other event. Reasonable behavior is expected from the animals while on campus. If the animal exhibits unacceptable behavior, the handler is expected to employ the proper training techniques to correct the situation.

Consideration of others must be taken into account when providing maintenance and hygiene of service animals. Additionally, specific guidelines have been established concerning service animals living in a campus residency environment.

Definitions:

1. Handler:
   Is a person with a disability using a service animal.
2. Service Animal:
   Is an animal specially trained to assist a person with a disability and:
• is used by a person with a disability who has completed a training program, and
• has been trained by an organization recognized by rehabilitation agencies as qualified.
Service animals may include:
• guide dogs,
• hearing dogs,
• attendant animals, or
• seizure response animals.

The animal must have had specific training to work the handler’s disability.

3. Pet:
   A domestic animal housed for sport, companionship, or other non-service functions. Pets are not allowed within university facilities. An exception would be small birds in cages and fish in a 10 gallon or less aquarium.
4. Unauthorized Animal:
   A pet or any animal that is neither a service animal, nor that is on campus for the specified limited use of classroom education or research.

Faculty, Staff, and Student Responsibility

• Permit service animals to accompany the handler to all areas of the facility were the handler is normally allowed to go. A handler may not be segregated from other similar members of the campus community, except where there is real danger to the animal or where the natural organisms carried by the service animal would adversely affect research. Exceptions to the exclusions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Do not pet, feed, or deliberately startle/disturb a service animal.
• Do not separate, or attempt to separate, service animals from their handlers.
• Provide handlers living in campus housing with an area for relieving and grooming the animals.

Documentation and Animal Owner’s Responsibility

• For classroom or campus housing settings, handlers must provide appropriate documentation of a disability to either the department of housing or disability services. Documentation for use of services animals should include diagnosis, need for service animal, and how the service animal specifically meets the needs of the handler’s disability.
• The animal must have specific training to work the handler’s disability.
• Handlers must abide by all state laws, Nacogdoches city ordinances, and SFA guidelines related to animals in the city of Nacogdoches, including:
• All animals in the city must have a valid license and tag issued by the city of Nacogdoches. The license and tag must be renewed annually.
• The handler is required to provide a collar or harness for the license and vaccination tags to be affixed. Handler shall see that the animal wears the collar and tags at all times.
• Handler is liable for damages done by service animal.

• Handler must have full control of the animal at all times. Animals are expected not to run at large, a leash or harness is required unless it restricts the service animal’s ability to function appropriately.

• Observe housing and food service establishment guidelines.
• Animal’s Heath/Cleanliness: All service animals must have an annual clean bill of health from a licensed veterinarian. Also, cleanliness is mandatory in the campus situation.
• Vaccination must be current, and based on the veterinarian’s recommendations.
• Daily grooming and occasional baths (at a vet or a family home) should keep the service animal’s odor to a minimum.
• Flea control is essential, and adequate preventative measures must be taken. If a flea problem develops, it should be dealt with immediately and in an effective manner. In the event a flea problem is not eliminated by the handler, the housing department will exterminate the property and assess the student the standard extermination fee.

Housing and Food Service Guidelines:

• Service animals will be kept under control; and will always be on a leash except in the student’s room with the door closed or unless it restricts the service animal’s ability to function appropriately. 
• Disturbing animal vocalization will be kept to an absolute minimum.
• Handlers must relieve animals in designated locations.
• Animal food should be kept in a covered storage container to deter pests.
• Animal’s paws must be kept off tables, trays and food service counters at all times.

Unauthorized Animals:

The University Police Department should be notified of any unauthorized animal discovered on, or in, university property. Upon receipt of a report, an officer will be dispatched to take appropriate action. Occupants of university housing are not permitted to keep pets except small birds in cages and small fish in aquariums.

For specific information regarding accessibility, refer to Policy F-16, Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities. For specific information regarding resolution of disagreements, refer to Policy F-34, Appeal Procedure Relating to the Provision of Accommodations for Students with Disabilities. Issues related to Discrimination or Harassment refer to Policy E-46, Discrimination Complaints/ Sexual Harassment.

Inquiries and Appeals:

Questions and concerns regarding the use of service animals on university property should be directed to the ADA Coordinator who serves as an advisor for procedures and access to programs and services. 

Cross Reference:Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities F-16, Appeal Procedure Relating to the Provision of Accommodations for Students with Disabilities F-34, Discrimination Complaints/ Sexual Harassment E-46.

Responsible for Implementation: Vice President for University Affairs

Contact For Revision:Chief of University Police and Director of Disability Services

Forms: None