Service Animal
A Service Animal is defined as any animal 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 work or tasks performed by a Service Animal must be directly related to the residential student’s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing nonviolent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. 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.
Emotional Support Animal
An Emotional Support Animal provides emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship that is directly related to a residential student’s disability. An Emotional Support Animal is not a Service Animal. Unlike a Service Animal, an Emotional Support Animal does not assist a person with a disability with activities of daily living, nor does it accompany a person with a disability at all times. Emotional Support animals are only permitted to reside in the student’s bedroom.
Pet
A pet is an animal kept for ordinary use and companion. A pet is not considered a Service or Emotional Support Animal. Residents are not permitted to have or keep pets in university housing.
Student Partner
A “Student Partner” as referenced in these guidelines refers to the individual who benefits from the Service or Emotional Support Animal’s use and training.
Handler
The term “Handler” used within this document refers to the Student Partner of the Service or Emotional Support Animal as well as any other person who has been properly designated consistent with the requirement so this Policy and who is in control of the Service or Emotional Support Animal, e.g., a guest or personal
attendant.