Chapter 23 – Service and Assistance Animals

Overview

The University of Texas at Arlington recognizes the importance of Service animals and emotional support animals (ESA), and the assistance they can provide to people with disabilities. However, service animals and ESAs are not the same and are not interchangeable. They perform different functions.

Service Animals

A service animal is a dog or miniature horse as identified by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that is trained to do (a) task(s) or service(s) directly related to the handlers’ disability. Service animals have received specialized training to perform work or tasks for their handler as related to their disability. Service animals are allowed in all areas that are open to the general public. This includes the library, general offices, financial aid, registrar, public dining halls, and general public events, etc.

If a student is interested in bringing a service animal to live or be present on campus with them, please review the policies in this chapter.

The SAR Center strongly encourages all students with a service animal, that will be accompanying them on campus, to apply to the SAR Center (See Chapter 2). This is not required. However, by using the SAR Center’s services, students will have the ability to inform their faculty in advance that they will have a service animal in the classroom, lab, etc.

Service Animals in Teaching, Research, and Physical Shop Laboratories: Guidance for Faculty, Staff and Students

Having a service animal in a laboratory setting requires special attention and advanced planning on the student’s (handler’s) and faculty’s part. If you have questions, please contact the SAR Center.

Important Information Regarding Service Animals

The handler's responsibilities while the service animal is on campus include the following (depending on the environment, additional responsibilities may be necessary):

  • Maintain control of your service animal. The animal should be under leash, harness, hand and/or voice command at all times.

1. The handler is responsible for the behavior of the service animal. Some examples of unacceptable behavior include uncontrolled barking, jumping, sniffing, growling and whining, etc., if not related to a specific service the animal is providing.

2. The handler is responsible for cleaning up after the animal while the animal is on campus.

  • The handler must ensure the service animal does not infringe upon aisles or passageways for fire egress. In a lab environment, additional measures may be needed to ensure the safety of the animal.

a. The handler must ensure all legal requirements have been met for the animal to be in public places (vaccinations, licensure, ID tags, etc.) mandated by State and/or local ordinances in order for the animal to be on campus.

3. The handler must accompany the service animal at all times.

4. While it is not required, it is recommended that a service animal wear recognizable identification. This will alert others that the animal is working and not a pet.

A faculty or a staff member may not inquire about the nature or extent of your disability, but may make two (2) inquiries when it is not readily apparent that the animal is a service animal:

1. Is the animal required because of a disability? and;

2. What work or tasks has the animal been specifically trained to perform related to your disability?

Emotional Support Animal (ESA)

An emotional support animal, sometimes referred to as an assistance animal, is an animal that provides emotional support, comfort or companionship for a person with a disability to mitigate the impacts of the disability.

An ESA is not required to have formal training. An ESA is not considered a service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act and therefore are only permitted in certain areas. An ESA is covered under the Fair Housing Act and may be considered a reasonable accommodation in the residential environment if deemed necessary for the student to have equal access to the residential environment.

A student who has been approved for an ESA in University Housing must adhere to guidelines for maintaining their animal in the residential environment. This includes but is not limited to:

1. The individual must have a diagnosed disorder for which the animal is needed and registered with the SAR Center.

2. The animal must be necessary to allow the individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.

3. A specific ESA Verification Form must be obtained from the SAR Center, filled out by student and qualified provider, or a statement from your treating provider will be accepted as long as it addresses all questions on the form. The treating provider must submit the form or statement to the SAR Center.

4. ESAs commonly kept in households: dog, cat, small bird, rabbit, hamster, gerbil, other rodent, fish (10 gal. tank limit), turtle, other small, domesticated animal traditionally kept in the home. Reptiles (other than turtles), barnyard animals, monkeys, kangaroos, and other non-domesticated animals are not considered common household animals.

5. ESAs are NOT allowed into the housing unit until the student completes Housing's Approved Animal Addendum form.

6. ESAs are NOT allowed into any other university building besides student’s personal residence.

  • ESAs that can be house-trained must be house-trained.
  • ESA must be kept in a secured enclosure when the resident is not present. Crates and secure enclosures (cages) for ESA should match the weight of the animal.
  • Due to the small size of rooms, ESAs should be limited to 60 lbs.

7. For an ESA other than a dog or cat, the best fit for a cage is 30" wide by 20" deep so it can fit on top of a dresser or desk.

  • When an ESA other than a dog or cat is out of its cage, the animal should be held by the student or near the student. 

8. ESAs that are able to be spayed or neutered should be spayed or neutered.

9. The animal must not cause physical damage to the property of others or University facilities.

  • Owner will be held financially responsible for any damages caused by the animal, including but not limited to, destruction of property and flea infestation.

10. ESAs that pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others are not allowed.

  • Litter boxes and secure enclosures (cages) must be properly maintained and contents disposed of regularly and according to housing stipulations.

11. Animal waste in residence or on campus grounds must be cleaned up immediately and disposed of according to housing stipulations.

12. ESAs are subject to all city and/or county ordinances including vaccinations, licenses, animal health and leash laws.

13. ESAs that can be vaccinated must have a current vaccination record.

14. This ESA form is valid for the duration of residency in campus housing.

15. New, different, or replacement ESA require a new verification form or statement completed by provider and submitted to the SAR Center.

  • If the animal is kept in housing prior to completion of the approval process of both the SAR Center and Housing's Addendum, the student is responsible for any fines that are incurred due to breaking of Housing’s “no pets” or “pet deposit required” policies.

If a student is interested in bringing an ESA to live on campus with them, please review the policies in this chapter.

In order to have an ESA on campus, student must complete the On-Campus Housing Accommodation process detailed in Chapter 24. 

SAR Center General Animal Guidelines for Campus Housing

1. All Service Animals (SAs) and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are required to be current on shots, including but not limited to, the rabies vaccination and any requirements of the City of Arlington or Tarrant County. It is the responsibility of the handler to ensure this before bringing the animal to UTA.

  • The eligible handler is required to care for the ESA. If the eligible handler will not be in the residence for an extended period of time (i.e. overnight, holiday breaks), off-campus care is to be arranged. Care by another student is not allowed on campus.

2. All SAs and ESAs are required to be housebroken before bringing the animal to UTA. Handlers are responsible for clean-up and appropriate disposal of the animals’ waste.

3. ESAs are required to be otherwise contained when the handler is not in the room (attending class, in the dining hall, etc.). This may include, but is not limited to, a cage, aquarium, crate, etc.

4. ESAs are only allowed in the eligible handlers’ living space, not elsewhere on campus. This is limited to the eligible handlers’ room and common living spaces (lounge, kitchen, and bathroom) OR the common space with a student during an organized Residence Life meeting. The ESA must always be accompanied by the handler while in these spaces.

5. Cleaning or grooming of SAs and ESAs is not allowed in campus facilities. Off-campus resources are available. Please check local listings for one that meets your needs.

6. Live feed for your ESA is not allowed on any of the UTA campuses.

7. If a student has an SA or is approved for an ESA, the student does not automatically qualify for a single room.

8. In our experience, an established relationship with the animal sets a foundation for success in transitioning an animal to a university housing situation.

  • It is the handler’s responsibility to teach others how to interact, or not interact, with the ESA.10.