Animal Policy

  

A Service Animal is an animal, ordinarily a dog, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. These tasks may include but are not limited to: guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals who are hearing impaired to intruders or sound, pulling a wheelchair, carrying and/or retrieving dropped items, etc.

A Service Animal may accompany its owner on university property at all times, except under rare circumstances where health or safety may be compromised as described in Section III of this Policy.   
   

 
Any student who currently has a Service Animal or plans to bring a Service Animal on campus is encouraged to register the Service Animal with OAE. Although registration is optional, a student with a Service Animal may occasionally be asked to provide proof that the Service Animal has met all state or local vaccination requirements. Other than providing documentation of vaccinations, the University does not ask for other documentation for Service Animals, nor does the University require Service Animals to wear a vest, ID tag, or specific harness. In situations where it is not obvious that a dog is a Service Animal, University officials may ask the following two qualifying questions:

1. Is the dog a Service Animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

 

   

In most cases, a student with a Service Animal may bring their Service Animal into all areas of the University that are open to the public or to students. However, for safety reasons, certain areas are generally off-limits to Service Animals and all other animals, including the following:

• Research Laboratories
  Chemicals found in many labs can be harmful to animals. Organisms naturally found on most dogs or other animals could negatively impact the outcome of research.
  
  
• Mechanical Rooms/Custodial Closets
  Such locations can have chemicals or machinery that could potentially harm animals, and animals may cause disruption to services provided in the location.
  
  
• Other Potentially Dangerous Areas
  Any room, studio, or classroom with sharp metal cuttings or glass shards on the floor; hot material such as molten metal; excessive dust; or moving machinery may pose a danger to animals. When students with Service Animals must be in one of these restricted areas for a course requirement, students should contact their Dean of Students and OAE to discuss potential alternative arrangements.

 

 
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that provides emotional support, well-being, or companionship that alleviates or mitigates symptoms of a disability. Unlike Service Animals, ESAs are:

1.  not required to have training to perform work or tasks;
2. not limited to dogs and can be other species of animal;
3.  only permitted on campus with prior approval from OAE; and
4. generally only permitted in University housing (not classrooms, labs, dining facilities, etc.).

 

 

In order to live with an Emotional Support Animal in University housing, a student must obtain prior authorization from OAE. The process for obtaining authorization is as follows:

1. The student should submit their request to OAE for review as far in advance as is feasible, at least 60 days prior to the animal’s anticipated arrival. The request should include the following supporting documentation: a letter of recommendation from a therapist, physician or other reliable third party (e.g. licensed social worker) for the Emotional Animal, a OAE Accommodation Request Form, and any other information explaining the need for the Emotional Support Animal. The recommendation letter should be signed on professional letterhead, from the person’s long-term physical or mental healthcare licensed provider, therapist, or other reliable third party, and is not a member of the student’s family.
2. Complete and Submit an ESA Accommodation Request
   Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Accommodation Request paperwork is available on the university website. This paperwork provides an overview of the materials required for ESA consideration, including:

• • Owner’s Rules & Responsibilities for an Emotional Support Animal
    The student must read, sign, and date this form to verify they understand what is expected of them should their ESA accommodation request be approved.
  • Letter to the Licensed Healthcare Provider
    These forms explain the requirements for the Letter of Recommendation that must be written by the student’s licensed healthcare provider. This letter must be completed on a professional letterhead by a licensed counselor, psychologist, physician, or other reliable third party (e.g. licensed social worker) who has personal knowledge of the student in line with their professional responsibilities and cannot be a family member.
  • Animal Identification & Registration Form
    This page must be completed by the student and outlines additional materials required for submission, including a current local pet license, photos of the animal, and photos of all supplies the student plans to keep for the animal.
  • Emergency Handler Information for USAO Housing 
    The student must provide information for a primary and backup emergency handler in the event the student is unable to reliably care for the animal.

3. Complete an Interactive In-depth Intake Interview

• • After receiving the completed ESA Accommodation Request paperwork, the OAE will contact the student through their university email to schedule an interactive in-depth intake interview. This interview will be conducted with the Accessibility Specialist and can take place in person or virtually.

4. Application Review and Possible Outcomes
   After the interview is completed, the Accessibility Specialist will review the information gathered during the interview along with all submitted documentation. The student will receive a timely response via email with one of the following application statuses:

• 1. Application Approval
     If the application is approved, the student will receive confirmation through their university email. This email will specify when the ESA is permitted on campus, the duration of the approval, and the timeframe for when the student must re-register their animal. Housing staff will be copied on this email, and the student’s roommate(s) will be notified separately regarding the animals’ presence in their living environment.
  2. More Information Needed
     If the application lacks sufficient information or documentation to substantiate the need for an ESA accommodation, the student will be notified through their university email. A follow-up meeting with the Accessibility Specialist may be required to discuss the outstanding materials, and the student will receive further instructions on how to proceed.
  3. Application Not Approved
     If the ESA accommodation request is not approved, the student will be notified through their university email. This email will detail the reason(s) for the denial and outline the next steps they can take. Students may appeal the decision by following the Student Grievance Procedure (Appeals Process) at the end of this document.

 

  
Students who are negatively affected by the presence of an Assistance Animal should contact Housing or OAE. Housing and OAE will follow up with the students involved in order to make a determination as to whether there is a need for further accommodations or other changes. The University is committed to ensuring that the needs of all students are met and will determine how to resolve any conflicts or problems as expeditiously as possible. In the event that a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached, a student may request review with the Dean of Students.
  

  
Animals must be licensed in accordance with applicable City of Chickasha regulations and must have current vaccination records when required for the animal’s species. Students may be asked to provide proof of compliance with these legal requirements, including current local pet licensure and vaccination documentation.
  

A. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTATION

Animals must be licensed in accordance with applicable City of Chickasha regulations and must have current vaccination records when required for the animal’s species. Students may be asked to provide proof of compliance with these legal requirements, including current local pet licensure and vaccination documentation.

B. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ANIMAL CARE AND SUPERVISION

Care and supervision of the animal is the sole responsibility of the student who owns the animal. Students living with animals in university housing are required to comply with the following guidelines. All responsibilities listed below apply to both service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) unless otherwise specified. Students with additional questions should contact the Office for Accessible Education (OAE).

1. Routine Care Requirements

For health and safety reasons, Students must ensure their animals receive daily care (toileting, feeding, watering, grooming) and long-term care (vaccinations, pest prevention, veterinary exams). The university may request documentation to verify these health and safety needs for service animals and ESAs.

2. Abuse and Neglect Policy

The university will investigate any reports of abuse or neglect and involve local authorities as appropriate. A student found to be mistreating their animal may face disciplinary action and removal of the animal from university housing.

3. Emergency Handler Designation

Students must designate a primary and backup emergency handler to care for their animal in case of an emergency. Both handlers must be familiar with the university’s animal care policies. If neither handler is available, the university may remove the animal and place it in a local animal facility at the owner’s expense.

4. Control and Restraint in Outdoor Areas

Animals must always remain under the handler’s control while on university property, including adjoining sidewalks and parkways. ESAs must be properly restrained using a leash, harness, or carrier. For service animals, voice commands or other effective signals are acceptable forms of control if the animal is trained to respond. This alternative is allowed when the handler cannot use physical restraints due to a disability or if restraints interfere with the animal’s ability to perform work or tasks.

5. Proximity and Consideration for Others

Animals must remain close to their handler when outside university housing and should be as unobtrusive as possible to residents and USAO personnel. For service animals, any work or task performed to alert others during a disability-related emergency on behalf of their handler is not considered obtrusive.

6. Safety and Behavioral Expectations

Animals must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others. Handlers are responsible for taking reasonable precautions to prevent harm, including using physical restraint or removing the animal from university property if it becomes aggressive or disruptive. For service animals, USAO personnel may require the dog to be removed from a classroom or other university space if disruptive behavior is not immediately resolved. Ongoing behavioral issues may necessitate corrective measures by the owner before the animal is permitted to return to campus.

7. Waste Disposal and Housebreaking

The student is responsible for cleaning up after their animal and must immediately and appropriately dispose of all waste, both indoors and outdoors. Animal feces must be secured in a plastic bag and placed in an outdoor trash receptacle.

8. Property Protection and Liability

Students must take reasonable precautions to protect university property and the personal belongings of other residents. This includes preventing animals from damaging university furniture or urinating/defecating on floors and carpets. Students are solely responsible for any damage or additional cleaning costs resulting from their service animals’ or ESA’s presence, including professional pest treatment or carpet replacement.

9. Respectful Behavior in Shared Spaces

To the extent possible, the animal should not disrupt students or university personnel, disturb others’ personal belongings, exhibit disruptive behaviors, or block passageways required for fire or emergency egress.

10. Interaction Boundaries

The handler may request that others refrain from petting, addressing, feeding, or deliberately startling the animal. The animal must always remain with its handler whether it is a service animal or ESA.

11. Maintenance and Service Requests

Students must notify university housing staff of an animal’s presence when submitting any service request and, if possible, be present during the repair. While university-approved personnel are in the room, ESAs must be crated or removed, and service animals must always remain effectively controlled. In emergencies, university-approved personnel may enter the room at their discretion.

12. Owner's Responsibility During Absences

Animals may not remain in university housing overnight without the owner present. If the student leaves overnight or during university breaks, the animal must accompany them.

  

  
In the event of an emergency, university personnel will take appropriate action, which may include removal of the animal from university property. As noted previously, the student must provide contact information for a primary and backup emergency handler who will take immediate responsibility for and remove the animal should the student be unable to. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure both emergency contacts are familiar with university animal care policies and are prepared to act when needed. If neither handler is available, the university reserves the right to remove the animal and place it in the care of a local animal facility at the owner’s expense. The student will be responsible for all costs associated with the care, boarding, and retrieval of the animal.