EIU Office of Accessibility and Accommodations

Eastern Illinois University Service Animal Policy

Service Animals

This policy speaks to the presence of service animals on campus, as defined by the Department of Justice, under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Those wishing to have other animals on campus should contact the Office of Accessibility & Accommodations at 217-581-6583 (McAfee, room 1336) or accommodations@eiu.edu for information about restrictions or for referral to other offices on campus.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service animals as "dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or tasks a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person's disability."

A service dog can be any breed or size. It might wear specialized equipment such as a backpack, harness, or special collar or leash, but this is not a legal requirement. If a dog meets this definition, it is considered a service animal regardless of whether it has been licensed or certified by a state or local government or a training program.

The ADA further states that "dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA."

The ADA allows service animals accompanying persons with disabilities to be anywhere that is open to the public on University premises. University premises shall mean any land and/or facility owned, leased, rented and/or occupied by Eastern Illinois University. There may be individual exceptions in places where the presence of the service animal may compromise safety or sterile environment and/or interfere with the fundamental nature of the activities being conducted in which the service animal would not be permitted.

Voluntary Registration of Service Animals While on Campus

For those individuals who are enrolled in courses that would like to voluntarily register their service animal with the University, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at 217-581-6583 (McAfee, room 1336) or accommodations@eiu.edu. As stated, this is voluntary, but may aide one in accessing the University premises. Registration is not available for visitors to campus or service dogs in training.

Inquiries

The individual's disability may not be visible and the service the animal provides may not be obvious. If you have questions as to the appropriateness of an animal you see on campus, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations.

Requirements of Service Animals and their Owners

• The animal cannot pose a direct threat to the health and safety of persons while on the University's premises.
• Local ordinances regarding animals apply to service animals, including requirements for immunization, licensing, noise, restraint, and at-large animals.
• The owner must be in full control of the animal at all times. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal's work or the individual's disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. As much as possible, the owner must ensure that the service animal does not approach and sniff other individuals, dining tables, or the personal belongings of others.
• The owner is responsible for cleaning up the animal's waste and fluids and disposing of such in outside trash containers only. Waste disposal via University plumbing is prohibited. The owner should always carry equipment sufficient to clean up and properly dispose of the animal's waste and fluids. Owners who are not physically able to pick up and dispose of the animal's waste and fluids are responsible for making all necessary arrangements for assistance. The University is not responsible for these services. Additionally, the animal is not to be bathed or its cage/crate or bedding cleaned using University Housing or University facilities. Service animals residing in University housing are subject to the same rules regarding disposal of waste and maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
• The owner is liable for damage caused by the animal.
• The owner is responsible for instructing others on appropriate interactions with the animal and setting clear expectations.

Exclusions

A service animal may be excluded from any authorized area and its owner may be subject to disciplinary action if, including, but not limited to:

• The service animal displays aggressive or disruptive behavior or noises and effective action is not taken to control it: unless said noise/behavior(s) are part of the needed disability service to the owner;
• The service animal is not housebroken;
• The service animal poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others;
• The service animal is not in good health, well-groomed, or cared for;
• The service animal infringes inappropriately into other's personal space;
• The owner intentionally uses the service animal to block identified fire/emergency exits.

NOTE: In the event that restriction or removal of a service animal is determined to be necessary, every effort will be made to assure that the individual still has access to the programs, services, or activities of the University without the animal.

Service Animals in Residence in University Housing

Sufficient notice of the intent of an individual with a disability planning to have a service animal in University Housing must be given to the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at 217-581-6583 (McAfee 1336) or accommodations@eiu.edu so that appropriate arrangements regarding placement, roommates, etc., can be made. Service animals residing in University Housing are subject to the Eastern Illinois University Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Policy and Agreement. Registration is not available to visitors to campus.

University Employee Service Animal Information

Please refer to the University's Human Resources department for information on service animals in use by employees.

The University reserves the right to modify this policy as needed. This policy speaks to the presence of service animals on campus, as defined by the Department of Justice, under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Those wishing to have other animals on campus should contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at 217-581-6583 (McAfee 1336) or accommodations@eiu.edu for information about restrictions, or for referral to other offices on campus.