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Accessibility Animals on Campus Hero

Approved Accessibility Animals on Campus

Your guide to paws, purpose, and policy.

We love animals鈥攁nd we know many of you do, too. Whether they鈥檙e guiding, comforting, alerting, or just being their fuzzy, fantastic selves, approved accessibility animals play a vital role in campus life. This page outlines the types of animals allowed at 国产伦理, who approves them, and how to keep things running smoothly for animals and humans alike.
 

1. Types of Approved Accessibility Animals on Campus

Service Animals

These are dogs or, in rare cases, miniature horses that are individually trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities.
Tasks may include guiding someone with low vision, alerting to medical conditions, opening doors, or retrieving dropped items.
They do not need to wear a vest, tag, or be registered. If they鈥檙e performing their task and under control, they are welcome as approved accessibility animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Service Animals in Training

These are future approved accessibility animals currently being trained through a nonprofit agency.
Handlers must carry liability insurance and register their training animal via the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) website.
These animals are protected under Ohio law and have the same access as fully trained service animals.

Assistance Animals (Emotional Support Animals)

These are animals that provide therapeutic support to individuals with diagnosed disabilities.
They do not require special training but must be approved through SAS or the Human Resources office (for employees and visitors) to qualify as approved accessibility animals.
They are typically limited to residence halls and are not allowed in classrooms or dining spaces unless specified in an approved accommodation.

2. Behavior, Access, and Housing Expectations for Approved Accessibility Animals

All approved accessibility animals must meet behavior and access standards to ensure a safe and respectful campus environment:

  • Control: Animals must be under the control of their handler at all times鈥攂y leash, harness, or verbal command.

  • Cleanliness: Handlers are responsible for cleaning up after their animals. Repeated issues may result in action.

  • Disruption: Minor distractions (like a short bark) are acceptable. Aggressive or unsafe behavior is not.

  • Distraction: Curiosity or discomfort from others is not a reason to exclude an approved accessibility animal.

In University Housing
Most assistance animals are confined to the student鈥檚 assigned room. Roommates cannot deny the presence of an approved accessibility animal outright; concerns are reviewed case by case. Housing staff coordinate animal care expectations, cleaning responsibilities, roommate notifications, and safety measures. An optional 鈥淎nimal in Residence鈥 sticker is available to alert custodial or facilities staff when entering a room.
 

3. Role-Based Guidance for Interacting with Approved Accessibility Animals

Faculty and Staff Who Oversee Campus Spaces

  • You may ask, 鈥淚s this an approved accessibility animal or a pet?鈥

  • You may ask for the type of animal and, if applicable, the task it is trained to perform.

  • If there are behavior issues, you may ask the handler to take action or refer the matter to SAS, the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) office, or Residence Services.

  • Avoid repeated questioning unless circumstances change.

Students

  • Submit documentation of your disability and request for animal-related accommodations through the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) office.

  • Meet with an SAS staff member to discuss your needs through an interactive process.

  • Once approved, SAS will notify faculty or housing staff as appropriate.

  • Animal-related accommodations are reviewed each semester for classes and annually for residence hall access.

Employees

  • All approved accessibility animal requests must go through the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) office. Do not seek approval directly through a supervisor.

  • EOAA works with the employee and supervisor (as needed) to explore reasonable accommodations.

  • The university is not required to provide the employee鈥檚 preferred solution鈥攐nly a reasonable and effective one.

Event Organizers and Visitors

  • Plan events through University Scheduling and ensure compliance with accessibility policy 5-12.401.

  • Invitations and advertisements must include contact information for requesting accommodations.

  • Staff and volunteers should be trained to direct guests who arrive with approved accessibility animals.

  • Visitors must follow the same rules and behavior standards as students and employees.

4. When Approved Accessibility Animals and Human Needs Conflict

Conflicts involving approved accessibility animals, such as allergies, fears, or competing animal needs, are handled on a case-by-case basis. These cases are assessed by SAS (for students) or EOAA (for employees and visitors). Accommodations might include room changes, alternate classroom seating, or spatial separation. No one is automatically excluded- the goal is always to create a solution that respects everyone's legal rights and safety.

Examples include:

  • A student with severe allergies sharing a room with an emotional support animal.

  • Two individuals with animals that are incompatible.

  • Someone with a documented fear of a specific species.
     

5. Help, Questions, or Concerns 国产伦理 Approved Accessibility Animals?

If you鈥檙e unsure about the policies or procedures related to approved accessibility animals, the following offices can assist:

Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
sas@kent.edu | 330-672-3391
kent.edu/sas/animals-campus

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) Office
aa_eeo@kent.edu | 330-672-2038

Office of General Counsel
legal@kent.edu | 330-672-2982
(And yes, they welcome dog pictures.)

Upcoming Virtual Sessions

Resuming in Fall 2025
 

Presented by:
Nichole Decaprio, Associate General Counsel, Office of General Counsel
Dr. Amanda Feaster, Director of Student Accessibility Services, Division of Student Affairs

Open to students, staff, and faculty. Highly recommended for faculty and student-facing staff.

 

Transcript available under "Attachments" below recording 

 

Slides

Accessibility Animals on Campus Slides Thumbnail

 

Downloadable One-Pager Fact Sheet (PDF)

Accessibility Animals on Campus Fact Sheet Thumbnail
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