The University of Virginia s College at Wise Service Animal Policy Individuals with disabilities may be accompanied by their service animals in areas where members of the public or participants in services, programs or activities are allowed to go. In addition, individuals with disabilities and trainers may take service animals in training to public places on campus for training purposes. A service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for individuals with disabilities. Other species of animals are not service animals, however, miniature horses are permitted where reasonable and the service dog provisions below apply to miniature horses as well. Examples of tasks performed by service dogs include, but are not limited to: Assisting an individual with low vision with navigation Alerting individuals who are hard of hearing to the presence of people or objects Retrieving items Providing assistance with stability or balance Detecting a seizure If a dog is not trained to do work or perform tasks, and only provides comfort or emotional support, the dog is not a service dog and may be excluded from public areas. To respect the rights and privacy of individuals with disabilities, the Department of Justice only permits the College to ask if a dog is required because of a disability, as well as what work or task the dog has been trained to perform. Individuals do not have to provide documentation of their disabilities, proof that service dogs have been trained, or place special vests on their service dogs. Individuals with disabilities are, however, encouraged to contact Disability Services (Zehmer Hall 152, 276-328-0265 or ada-online@uvawise.edu). Service dogs may be excluded from campus under the following circumstances: The dog is disruptive and not effectively controlled. The presence of the service dog would fundamentally change the nature of the job, service, or activity. The service dog's presence, behavior, or actions pose an unreasonable or direct threat to property and/or the health or safety of others. The dog is not housebroken. The College is not responsible for the care or supervision of a service dog. Individuals are responsible for: The well-being of a service dog as well as the cost of any damages as a result of the service dog. The immediate clean-up and proper disposal of all animal waste.
The control of the dog at all times. Harnessing, leashing, or tethering the service dog, unless an individual s disability precludes the use of a restraint or if the restraint would interfere with the service dog's safe, effective performance of work or tasks. Following all requirements for the presence of animals in public places mandated by State or local ordinances (vaccination, license, animal health, leash) Emotional Support Animals in College Housing and Employment Individuals with disabilities may utilize a broader range of animals, commonly referred to as emotional support animals, in College housing and work sites, in accordance with federal law. By law, an emotional support animal means any service animal, as defined above, as well as an animal needed for emotional support. An individual may keep an emotional support animal as an accommodation in College housing or work sites if: 1. The individual is disabled. 2. The animal is necessary to afford the individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling or perform the necessary duties of a job. 3. There is an identifiable relationship between the disability and the assistance the animal provides. Disability Services will, in partnership with Housing & Residence Life and other units, determine, on a case by case basis, whether an animal is a reasonable accommodation in College housing or work sites. As with service animals, individuals are responsible for the control, care, and supervision of their animals at all times, and the College may exclude an emotional support animal under the circumstances described in the Service Animals at the College section above. Revised draft 8/25/15
Student s Name: The University of Virginia s College at Wise Disability Services REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Emotional Support Animal Re: Proposed ESA: Name: Type of animal: Age of animal: The above-named student has indicated that you are the professional who has suggested that having an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in the residence hall will be helpful in alleviating one or more of the identified symptoms or effects of the student s disability. So that we may better evaluate the request for this accommodation, please answer the following questions: Please write legibly. An electronic version of this form is available by request. Information About the Student s Disability (A person with a disability is defined as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. ) What is the nature of the student s mental health impairment (that is, how is the student substantially limited?) Does the student require ongoing treatment? How long have you been working with the student regarding this mental health diagnosis?
Information About the Proposed ESA Is this an animal that you specifically prescribed as part of treatment for the student, or is it a pet that you believe will have a beneficial effect for the student while in residence on campus? What symptoms will be reduced by having the ESA? Is there evidence that an ESA has helped this student in the past or currently? Importance of ESA to Student s Well-Being In your opinion, how important is it for the student s well-being that the ESA be in residence on campus? What consequences, in terms of disability symptomology, may result if the accommodation is not approved? Have you discussed the responsibilities associated with properly caring for an animal while engaged in typical college activities and residing in campus housing? Do you believe those responsibilities might exacerbate the student s symptoms in any way? (If you have not had this conversation with the student, we will discuss with the student at a later date.)
Thank you for taking the time to complete this form. If we need additional information, we may contact you at a later date. We recognize that having an ESA in the residence hall can be a real benefit for someone with a significant mental health disorder, but the practical limitations of our housing arrangements make it necessary to carefully consider the impact of the request for an ESA on both the student and the campus community. Please provide contact information, sign and date this questionnaire (below), and return it to: Disability Services Attn: Whitney Wells 1 College Avenue Wise, VA 24293 or Fax: 276-376-1076 or Email: wew3x@uvawise.edu Contact information: Address: Telephone: FAX and/or Email address: Professional Signature: Credentials: License #: Date: Revised draft 8/25/15