Pets, Service Animals, and Assistance Animals

AUDIENCE

This policy applies to all members and guests of the Thomas More University community.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is for members of the Thomas More University community and visitors to be aware of all rights and responsibilities with respect to having animals on University property or in University buildings.

DEFINITIONS

Pet – an animal kept for companionship

Service animal – 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.  The provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.  Source: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title III

Assistance animal – an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability.  Source: Fair Housing Act

THE POLICY

Section 1: PETS

For reasons of health and sanitation, pets are not permitted in any University building.  Pets in outdoor public areas must remain with their owner, leashed/harnessed, and under control.  The animal must be properly vaccinated, licensed, identified with tags, clean, and in good health.  Owners must clean up after their pet.  Any pet posing a threat to the health and safety of others or causing property damage must be removed immediately.  This determination is made at the sole discretion of University administration. Owners are at all times responsible for any and all damage to University property or other harm caused by the animal.

An exception is made for students living on campus, who are each permitted to keep one fish in a tank smaller than 15 gallons. 

Section 2: SERVICE ANIMALS

Service animals, as defined above, may accompany individuals with disabilities in all non-residential areas on the University campus.  Service animals must remain under control, typically with a harness, leash, or tether.  Owners must properly care for and supervise the animal.  The animal must be properly vaccinated, licensed, identified with tags, clean, housebroken, and in good health.  Owners are at all times responsible for any and all damage to University property or other harm caused by the animal.  Owners are responsible for ensuring the service animal is wearing a leash, harness, or cape that identifies the animal as a service animal when on duty anywhere on campus.  If it is not obvious what service an animal provides, staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. The University may prohibit the use of service animals in certain locations due to health and safety restrictions or places where the animal might be in danger, including but not limited to, food preparation areas, research laboratories, boiler rooms, and other areas prohibited by law.

Requests for service animals other than dogs will be handled through the Office of Student Accessibility.  Requests for service animals in residential facilities will be handled through the Office of Student Accessibility.

Section 3: ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Assistance animals, as defined above, will be considered as a reasonable accommodation by the Office of Student Accessibility, in conjunction with the Department of Student Affairs.  Students must register through the Office of Student Accessibility using the required procedures and submit all necessary documentation pertinent to their request for an assistance animal.  Students who are afforded an accommodation should note that housing options will be limited to Howard Hall and Marian Hall as the designated residence halls to accommodate such a request.

If approved, assistance animals are only permitted in the residence hall room and outdoor public areas.  Owners will be asked to sign an Assistance Animal Agreement outlining the responsibilities and requirements for keeping an assistance animal in the residence hall room. Owners are at all times responsible for any and all damage to University property or other harm caused by the animal.

For procedures related to requesting an assistance animal and the responsibilities and requirements for keeping an assistance animal in the residence hall room, contact either the Office of Student Accessibility or the Department of Student Affairs.

Section 4: EMPLOYEES

In accordance with Title I of the American with Disabilities Act, any employee, including student employees, requesting a service animal as a reasonable accommodation must contact the Department of Human Resources.

Section 5: ANIMALS FOR UNIVERSITY USE

Animals for academic purposes are approved by the Provost.  All other animals in use at the University are approved by the Dean of Students.  The  University dog, who is part of the Campus Safety Team and keeps an eye on the geese roaming the campus, is approved by the President.

Section 6:  VIOLATIONS

Any guest of the University found to be in violation of this policy may be required to immediately remove the animal from campus, subject to the sole discretion of the University.  Any employee found to be in violation of this policy may be required to immediately remove the animal from campus and may be referred to the Department of Human Resources for appropriate disciplinary action.  Any student found to be in violation of this policy may be required to immediately remove the animal from campus and may be referred to the Department of Student Affairs for appropriate disciplinary action under the Saints Community Standards.  

RELATED POLICIES AND APPLICABLE LEGAL OR ACCREDITATION STANDARDS

Federal Regulations

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Fair Housing Act
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, section 504

State Regulations

Kentucky Revised Statute 258.500
Kentucky Revised Statute 258.015

PROCEDURES

None

REFERENCING THE POLICY

• Saints Community Standards
• Residence Life Policies and Procedures
• Office of Student Accessibility Procedures

HISTORY

APPENDIX

None

APPROVALS

Rachel Marcum, Coordinator for the Office of Student Accessibility                           

Antwone Cameron, Dean of Students

Laura Custer, Director of Human Resources     

Kathleen S. Jagger, Acting President