Service animal clarification

A new look will be given to the policies regarding service animals in Portland State housing after a student recently reported having difficulty obtaining approval to keep a service animal.

The Disability Resource Center is reviewing policies regarding animals in housing with the university’s general legal counsel, the federal and state Departments of Justice, with input from the Fair Housing Council and University Housing.

The laws that influence campus policy are being examined to make sure they are appropriate said DRC director Polly Livingston.

Some Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant dormitories currently include dander-free environments for students with allergies, asthma or other medical conditions, and there are dorms that specifically allow students with animals. She feels the DRC has a good handle on animals on campus but adds that the DRC is always open to having policies reviewed.

“Our goal is to give students tools that they can use,” said Darcy Kramer, accommodations coordinator for the DRC.

Kramer thinks the process for requesting to have a service animal in a campus setting needs to be clarified and simplified, not only here but across the nation.

The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a service animal as “any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.”

However, Livingston said even the term “service animal” needs to be questioned and suggests a more accurate term may be “assistance animal.”

A document provided by the DRC currently defines several types of animals.

A companion animal may be prescribed for its calming influences or to provide a feeling of security. A service animal is trained to perform tasks and can sometimes be a monkey. A therapy animal is used for mental disorders such as agoraphobia.

A guide dog assists as a travel tool for the blind. Hearing dogs may alert a person with significant hearing loss to sounds, such as a knock on the door. Sig dogs are trained for people with autism. Finally, a seizure response dog assists a person with a seizure disorder.

The DRC needs some form of validation for animal services and “cannot do anything without documentation from a licensed professional provider,” Livingston said.

Livingston and Kramer urge students with disabilities who need a service animal to get in touch with them as soon as possible before moving into housing.
“We understand,” Livingston said.
 

Procedure for service animals in PSU housing

– Student applies for campus housing and expresses a need for a service animal
– University Housing refers the student to the DRC
– DRC requests information regarding specific functions the animal will perform
– The student provides documentation for need
– Director reviews request

Proper etiquette when interacting with a student who has a service animal

– Do not hesitate to ask a student if your assistance would be helpful if the team seems confused
– Do not pet, feed or deliberately startle the animal
– Do not separate a student from their service animal

Control requirements for service animals on campus

– The animal must be on a leash at all times
– The handler must be in full control at all times
– The animal must be as unobtrusive as possible

DRC Web site with eligibility requirements and documentation guidelines

www.drc.pdx.edu/eligibility.html