Service Animal and Emotional Support Animal Policy

Caution: Certificates, registrations, and licensing documents purchased from internet websites are not valid proof of a disability-related need for an assistance animal and do not demonstrate that a provider has the personal knowledge or clinical history required to legitimately prescribe an ESA for housing access, use, and enjoyment. Under Missouri law, it is a punishable offense to knowingly impersonate a person with a disability or misrepresent a dog as a service dog for the purpose of receiving the accommodations related to service dogs under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 12101, et seq. Missouri law also expressly prohibits the knowing misrepresentation of any animal as an assistance animal for the purpose of receiving the accommodations related to assistance animals under the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 3601, et seq., or the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 701, et seq.**

Purpose

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), the Fair Housing Act, and state and local law, Lindenwood University will accommodate persons with disabilities who require the assistance of a qualified Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal. It is the purpose of the following Service Animal and Emotional Support Animal Policy (“Policy”) to articulate the conditions under which such animals are permitted access to University grounds and facilities. This Policy also outlines Lindenwood’s procedures with regard to animals utilized for disability purposes.

Scope

This policy applies to student requests for service animals and emotional support animals at the University.

Policy

I. Definitions

Service Animal – “Service Animal” means any dog (or, in very limited circumstances, a miniature horse) that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of and to accommodate the functional needs of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals are not Service Animals for the purpose of this Policy. The work that the Service Animal has been trained to do must be directly related to the person’s disability. Because the animal does perform work for the student, it may be allowed in any area to which the student has access and the need for assistance from the Service Animal (e.g. residence halls, classrooms, dining halls, library, labs, student center).

Emotional Support Animal – An “Emotional Support Animal” is an animal that is specifically designated by a qualified medical treatment provider as affording an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling, provided there is a nexus between the individual’s disability and the assistance the animal provides. An Emotional Support Animal provides support to a person by relieving one or more identified symptoms associated with a student’s documented disability. Because Emotional Support Animals do not perform work or tasks, they do not qualify as Service Animals and are allowed only in assigned campus housing and on outdoor campus grounds. Emotional Support Animals are not permitted in classrooms, libraries, food service areas, labs, student centers, sporting arenas, or other common areas on campus.

II. Service Animals

A. Service Animals on Campus

A Service Animal is generally permitted to be on University property in any place where the animal’s handler (student or student’s personal care attendant) is permitted to be, although there are specific locations and activities on University property where all animals are prohibited for health and safety reasons. Such prohibited areas may include but are not limited to the following: certain laboratories or clinical/sterile environments; certain food preparation areas; mechanical rooms/custodial closets; areas where protective clothing is necessary; or areas where the Service Animal may be in danger.

A Service Animal shall have a harness, leash or other tether, unless the handler’s disability precludes use of such tether, in which case the animal must otherwise be under the control of the handler (i.e. voice controls or other effective means). Members of the University community and visitors are prohibited from interfering in any way with a service animal or the duties it performs.

B. Notification of the Need for a Service Animal

Students with disabilities who intend to bring a Service Animal to campus are encouraged, but not required, to notify the University in advance for coordination and support. You may contact the Accessibility Office at [email protected] receive support and answer questions pertaining to this Policy.
If the need for the Service Animal is not readily apparent, the University may ask (1) whether the animal is needed because of a disability and (2) what work or task the animal has been trained to perform.

When the University is notified that a student will have a Service Animal in University housing, the animal’s handler may be provided documentation for coordination related to the housing assignment. The student may choose to share the verification document with members of the campus community as needed. If necessary, the Residential Life Office may notify other residents within the housing assignment (as well as maintenance and security staff) that the animal will be residing in a shared assigned living space. The University will not disclose the student’s disability.

III. Emotional Support Animals

A. Emotional Support Animals in Student Housing

Once approved, an Emotional Support Animal may reside with a student with a disability in the student’s assigned University housing. Emotional Support Animals are approved for residence in the student’s assigned housing unit only and are not permitted in other campus buildings unless separately authorized in writing by the Accessibility Office.

B. Requesting an Emotional Support Animal

A student seeking approval for an Emotional Support Animal in University housing must submit an application to the Accessibility Office and be approved before bringing the animal to campus. The Accessibility Office will provide the required forms and respond to any questions pertaining to this Policy.

Accessibility Office
Library and Academic Resources Center (LARC), Room 346
(636) 949-4699
[email protected]

Each request is reviewed by University personnel on a case-by-case basis, with consideration given to the individual circumstances of the requesting student. All decisions regarding requests for ESAs will be communicated directly to the requesting student within a reasonable time. The University reserves the right to request additional information as needed and generally approves one Emotional Support Animal per student.

Students requesting the assistance of an Emotional Support Animal in student housing are required to provide a completed Medical Provider Request Form. The request form must be completed by a qualified and licensed healthcare professional in the state of Missouri or the student’s home state who is not affiliated with the University or related to the student. The healthcare professional (including, but not limited to, a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist, or other professional with training and expertise in the diagnosis of mental health disorders) must verify that the student is under his/her care. The form must be signed and returned to the Accessibility Office.

Documentation must reflect an established professional relationship and sufficient personal knowledge of the student’s disability and functional limitations.

The impact one’s disability has on functional limitations may change over time. Documentation must reflect the current status of the student, his/her present functional limitation(s), and explain the nexus between the disability and symptom alleviation/reduction. The University may request updated documentation if the student reports or experiences a change in circumstances that affects the need for an ESA in housing, such as a change in housing assignment, a change in treatment that affects the assistance the animal provides, or any other change reported by the student that directly affects the accommodation.

The student will also be expected to provide documentation that the animal is in compliance with all state and local requirements associated with licensing, vaccinations, and other health regulations.

If the student is living in housing and has roommate(s), each roommate will be notified that an approved Emotional Support Animal will be residing in the unit. Roommates may submit relevant medical documentation (e.g., allergy-related concerns) for consideration. The University will attempt to reasonably accommodate all affected students. A meeting will be scheduled by a residential staff member to review policies and procedures in regard to having an Emotional Support Animal in the residence. The animal will not be authorized on campus until this meeting takes place. The Emotional Support Animal is authorized to reside in the student’s housing assignment only; it is not permitted to visit other housing areas. Failure to abide by this policy may result in an unauthorized pet charge assessed to the student where an animal is present.

If a student’s request for an Emotional Support Animal is approved, the student will be given a document that confirms his/her right to maintain the animal in his/her housing assignment. The student must provide his/her Residential Life professional staff member with a copy of the verification document prior to moving the animal into the housing assignment. If necessary, the Residential Life Office will notify other residents within the housing assignment (as well as maintenance and campus security staff, as needed) that the animal will be residing in a shared assigned living space.

Students are not authorized to have an animal in their housing assignment unless and until their request under this Policy is approved and Residential Life has completed the meeting required for roommate agreements. Having an animal in student housing prior to receiving authorization will result in a $150 unauthorized pet charge.

C. Application Deadline
In order to be able to reasonably accommodate a housing assignment for resident students with an approved Emotional Support Animal, the following application deadlines have been stipulated and must be adhered to:

• Fall deadline: June 1
• Spring deadline: November 1

D. Specific Requirements of the Emotional Support Animal in Housing

• Identification and Other Tags: The animal must have tags (or other visible marker) indicating ownership and rabies clearances. All Emotional Support Animals must remain in compliance with local licensing and registration requirements (e.g., dog license, city/county ordinances). The Residential Life Office reserves the right to request proof of licensing or paperwork at any time during the animal’s residency.
• Health and Vaccinations: The animal must be clean and in good health. All animals on campus must have an annual well care visit with a licensed veterinarian. The Residential Life Office reserves its right to request proof of the required visits at any time. All animals must have had a general maintenance vaccination series appropriate to the species. All vaccinations must be current. Applicable animals must wear a current rabies vaccination tag. Proof of vaccinations must be submitted with the Emotional Support Animal application. A resident with an ill animal may be asked to remove the animal from the University’s facilities.
• Grooming: The animal must be well groomed at all times, and appropriate measures should be taken to prevent fleas and control odor. Students who use University facilities and bathrooms for grooming and bathing are responsible for cleaning up pet hair, and other remnants related to these actions. Failure to control infestation will result in a fine. The student’s residence may be inspected for fleas, ticks, or animal-related damage.
• Physical Control: The animal must be on a leash at all times when outside. The animal should never be permitted to wander around off leash except when it is inside the student’s residence. The care and supervision of the animal is the sole responsibility of its handler.
• Campus Responsibility: Students are responsible for any damage caused by the animal. Students will be fined for any damage from the animal found in the house. When an animal is left unattended in a residence, the animal is required to be kenneled. Animals may not remain unattended for prolonged periods of time (e.g., over breaks in the academic schedule). Students are responsible for ensuring that an unattended animal does not disrupt others.
• Cleanup: The handler shall properly dispose of the feces and other animal waste in designated areas, both inside and outside of the residence.
• Disruption: The handler of an animal that is unruly or disruptive (e.g., excessive barking, running freely, exhibiting aggressive behavior, or otherwise causing disruption) may be asked to remove the animal from the University facilities. If the improper behavior occurs repeatedly, the animal may be prohibited from University property until the student takes significant corrective action to eliminate the behavior.

IV. Behavioral Expectations

The animal handler is responsible for assuring that the animal does not unduly interfere with the routine activities of the work environment, classroom and residence or cause difficulties for others. The animal handler must always be in control of the animal.
The Accessibility Office or campus security will be notified if the animal causes a disturbance, violates this Policy, or poses a threat or causes harm to facilities or other students.
The Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal can be disqualified from campus or limited in its campus access if:

• The animal is out of control or disruptive, and the handler does not take immediate action to control it;
• The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others;
• The animal causes substantial property damage;
• The animal is not housebroken;
• The animal is in spaces that were not previously approved by the Accessibility Office; or,
• The animal handler fails to comply with this Policy.

In cases of significant damage, repeated violations, or unresolved safety concerns, the University may require removal of the animal and/or take appropriate housing or conduct action.

The animal handler must agree to abide by all University policies and the specific and agreed-upon plans for maintenance of the animal while on campus. If the animal handler is unable to collect and dispose of animal waste, an alternative person must be identified for this service. Do not assume that college personnel or roommates are responsible for this service. Residential staff will not clean up any animal waste.

The student is financially responsible for the actions of the animal, including any property damage or bodily injury. This includes but is not limited to costs for cleaning, repairing, or replacing furniture, floors, carpet, wall coverings, or other damaged property. The student may be asked to move out if the damage is deemed excessive and/or the result of negligence or violation of this Policy. Students are responsible for any costs associated with impoundment and/or retrieval of their animal if it is removed due to Policy violations. When the student vacates the premises, he/she agrees to be responsible for any costs incurred for cleaning beyond standard cleaning or repair.

The animal handler agrees to abide by all other residential policies. An exception to the no-animals policy does not constitute exception to any other policy. The Residential Life Office retains the right to relocate the student and approved animal for operational, safety, or roommate accommodation purposes. Should the animal be removed from the premises for any reason, the student is expected to fulfill his/her housing obligations for the remainder of the housing contract.