Animals on University Property (D-3)
Original Implementation: Unpublished
Last Revision: April 19, 2011
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:
- Handler:
A person with a disability using a service animal. - Service Animal:
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 handler’s disability. 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. - 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. - 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 where 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.
Inquiries and Animal Owner’s Responsibility
- For classroom or campus residence life settings, handlers must provide appropriate documentation to either the Department of Residence Life or Disability Services. Handlers must provide residence life or disability services with information confirming the service animal is required because of a disability and detailing what work or task the animal has been trained to perform.
- 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 but not limited to:
- 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 is responsible for the care and supervision of a service animal.
- Use of miniature horses as a service animal will be reviewed based on the inquiries and appeal process listed below.
- 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 the handler is unable because of disability to use a leash or harness or it restricts the service animal’s ability to function appropriately.
- Observe housing and food service establishment guidelines.
- Animal’s health/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 residence life department will exterminate the property and assess the student the standard extermination fee.
Residence Life 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, the handler is unable because of disability to use a leash or harness, 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 as provided in this policy.
For specific information regarding accessibility, refer to university policy Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (F-16). For specific information regarding resolution of disagreements, refer to university policy Appeal Procedure Relating to the Provision of Accommodations for Students with Disabilities (F-34). For issues related to Discrimination or Harassment, refer to university policy Discrimination Complaints/ Sexual Harassment (E-46).
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: 28 C.F.R. § 35.136 (2010); Nacogdoches, Tex., Rev. Ordinances ch. 6, art. III, §§ 32-33 (2008); 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
Board Committee Assignment: Academic and Student Affairs