Policy List
Definitions
Listed below is the terminology commonly associated with the topic of service animals.
Service Animals (ADA Definition)
Any guide, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to a person with one or more major life activities impacted. An animal fitting this description is considered a service animal under the ADA regardless of whether the animal is trained under a certified society or is licensed by stated or local government.
The following are examples of how service animals commonly assist individuals with disabilities:
- Guiding individuals who are blind;
- Alerting individuals with hearing loss;
- Pulling a wheelchair for a person with a physical or mobility disability;
- Fetching items, or turning on/off light switches; or
- Alerting others or standing guard over a person during a seizure.
Trainee
Any guide, signal dog, or other animal that is currently undergoing training to learn how to provide assistance to a person with a disability who has at least one or more daily living activities affected by their disability condition.
Therapy Animal
An animal used as a therapy tool, and is incorporated into the treatment process of an individual who is undergoing counseling and treatment for a psychologically-related disability. Although therapy animals are not typically a form of accommodative support on campus, circumstances are reviewed once proper verification is provided.
Pet
A domesticated animal that only serves a role in providing leisure companionship to its owner. Pets are not the same as service animals and are not permitted inside University facilities.
Handler
The individual person with a disability requiring assistance with one or more daily living activities from a service animal.
Team
A term used to reference the handler and service animal when they work together to accomplish the tasks of everyday living.
Laws
The following legislation protects the rights of individuals requiring service animals.
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990
Businesses and organizations that serve the public must allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals into all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. This federal law applies to all businesses open to the public, including restaurants, hotels, taxis and shuttles, grocery and department stores, hospitals and medical offices, theaters, health clubs, zoos, and parks (U.S. DOJ Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section).
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990
No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by such entity. A public entity shall make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures when the modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability (including discrimination against persons with disabilities who use service animals), unless the public entity can demonstrate that making the modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 1973
No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States, as defined in section 7(20), shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance or under any program or activity conducted by any Executive agency or by the United States Postal Service.
The Guide Dog Access Act / White Cane Law (Illinois General Assembly)
A person who has a visual impairment, hearing impairment or physical disability and is accompanied by a service dog is guaranteed the right of entry and use of all public accommodations, include modes of transportation.
County and Municipal Laws
- Champaign County Animal Control Ordinance (Number 727)
- City of Champaign Municipal Code (Chapter 7—Animals)
- City of Urbana Municipal Code (Chapter 4—Animal and Fowl)
DRES Verification Service Animals (Required for students only)
- Voluntarily provide Certifying Agency information if service animal has an agency affiliation;
- Complete the Service Animal Registration Form (Microsoft Word file);
- Must have current vaccinations and proper Licensure for Champaign Co. completed; and
- It is suggested that a service animal wear proper ID tags, leash, or harness while on campus.
Responsibilities/Requirements
Handlers (Students only)
- Handlers are responsible for following DRES procedures for submitting the necessary documentation to verify their need for having a service animal on campus;
- Handlers are responsible for complying with the Champaign County and city ordinances for animal rights and owner responsibilities;
- DRES, units of campus, and housing are not responsible for the costs of care necessary for a service animal’s well-being—the arrangements and responsibilities with the care of a service animal are the sole responsibility of their handler at all times;
- It is suggested that service animals wear a leash or harness and identification (e.g., ID tag) while on campus; and
- Handlers must be in full control of their service animal at all times.
University Community
The University community:
- Must allow service animals to accompany their handlers at all times and everywhere on campus, except for places where there is a health, environmental, or safety hazard;
- Should contact DRES if any questions or concerns arise relating to service animals; and
- Should report any service animals who misbehave, or any handlers who mistreat their service animals (listed below are the policy and procedures for reporting negative behaviors).
DRES (office responsible for providing services to students with disabilities)
DRES:
- Develops the necessary policies and procedures for the University regarding service animals;
- Collects the Verification Information for service animals from students when they register with DRES; and
- Assists the University community when questions or concerns arise relating to service animals on campus, and seeks legal advice when necessary.
FAQ List
- What are some basic etiquette rules for service animals and their handlers?
- Under what circumstances can a service animal be asked to leave or not allowed participation on campus?
- What needs to happen if a service animal is behaving aggressively towards their handler or others, or if a handler or other students is behaving aggressively towards a service animal?
- What if another student (in housing or in class) or a faculty member has severe allergies around animal dander?
- Are faculty/staff allowed to ask an individual about their service animal’s purpose if one enters their office or classroom?
- What should a handler do if he/she has concerns about his or her ability to use a service animal to access campus facilities and programs?
- Who is responsible for cleaning up after the dog on campus?
Q1: What are some basic etiquette rules for service animals and their handlers?
- Do not feed or pet service animals when you see them on campus;
- Do not try to separate handler from service animal; and
- Do not harass or startle a service animal.
Q2: Under what circumstances can a service animal be asked to leave or not allowed participation on campus?
- If a service animal is found to be disruptive in the classroom;
- If a service animals shows aggression towards their handler or other members of campus or the community;
- If a service animal is physically ill;
- If the service animal is unreasonably dirty;
- Any place on campus where the presence of a service animal causes danger to the safety of the handler or other students/member of campus; or
- Any place on campus where a service animal's safety is compromised.
Q3: What needs to happen if a service animal is behaving aggressively towards their handler or others, or if a handler or other students is behaving aggressively towards a service animal?
In this situation, you have the following options:
- Call DRES at (217) 333-4602 to report an incident between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, however if it is after hours, you may leave voice mail—if you do not know the student's name, you will be required to provide a description of the handler, your perception of the individual's disability, and a description of the service animal; or
- Call the Campus Police at (217) 333-1216.
Q4: What if another student (in housing or in class) or a faculty member has severe allergies around animal dander?
The final determination regarding how to manage the situation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Please contact DRES for further information if a situation of this nature occurs.
Q5: Are faculty/staff allowed to ask an individual about their service animal’s purpose if one enters their office or classroom?
If there is a reason to question whether an animal accompanying a student to classrooms or offices is a service animal, faculty/staff may ask the student who has the animal if it is a service animal and what tasks the animal has been trained to perform.
If faculty or staff have any additional questions regarding a student enrolled in their class with a service animal, please contact DRES.
If faculty or staff have any additional questions regarding visitors to campus who have service animals, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (217) 333-0885.
Q6: What should a handler do if he/she has concerns about his or her ability to use a service animal to access campus facilities and programs?
Handlers who have concerns about any matter affecting their use of a service animal, should contact DRES, and review the accommodations and grievances procedures.
Q7: Who is responsible for cleaning up after the dog on campus?
It is the Handler's personal responsibility to immediately clean up or to solicit the proper assistance for cleaning up if their service animal defecates routinely, or becomes ill and either vomits and/or becomes incontinent.