Oregon State University recognizes the importance of Service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs).
Service animals and ESAs, are not the same and are not interchangeable. They have different functions.
Service Animals
A service animal is a dog or miniature horse as identified by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that is trained to do (a) task(s) or service(s) directly related to the handlers’ disability. Service animals are allowed in all areas that are open to the general public. This includes the library, general offices, financial aid, registrar, public dining halls and general public events, etc.
If a student is interested in bringing a service animal to live or be present on campus with them, please review the OSU Policy on Service & Emotional Support Animals (Assistance Animals).
Service Dogs in Teaching, Research, and Physical Shop Laboratories: Guidance for Instructors, Staff and Students
Having a service animal in a laboratory setting requires special attention and advanced planning on the student’s (handler’s) and instructor’s part. Please read the attached guidance and responsibilities around having a service animal in a lab environment.
Important Information Regarding Service Animals:
The handler's responsibilities while the service animal is on campus include, but may not be limited to, the following:
- Maintain control of your service dog or miniature horse. The animal should be under leash, harness, hand and/or voice command at all times.
- The handler is responsible for the behavior of the service animal. Some examples of unacceptable behavior include uncontrolled barking, jumping, lunging, sniffing, growling and whining, etc.
- The handler is responsible for cleaning up after the service animal.
- The handler must ensure the service dog does not infringe upon aisles or passageways for fire egress. In a lab environment, additional measures may be needed to ensure the safety of the service animal.
- The handler must ensure all legal requirements have been met for the service animal to be in public places (vaccinations, licensure, ID tags, etc.) mandated by State and/or local ordinances in order for the animal to be on campus.
- The handler must accompany the service animal at all times.
Staff may make two (2) inquiries when it is not readily apparent that the animal is a service animal:
- Is the animal required because of a disability? and;
- What work or tasks has the animal been specifically trained to perform related to the person’s disability?
Emotional Support Animal (ESA)
An emotional support animal is an animal that provides emotional support, comfort or companionship for a person with a disability to mitigate the impacts of the disability. An ESA is not required to have formal training. An ESA is not deemed to be a service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act and therefore are only permitted in certain areas. An ESA is covered under the Fair Housing Act and may be considered a reasonable accommodation in the residential environment if deemed necessary due to disability.
If a student is interested in bringing an ESA to reside on campus with them, please review the OSU Policy on Service & Assistance Animals.
To have an ESA on campus, the student must complete the On-Campus Housing Accommodation process detailed in Chapter 20.
A student who has been approved for an ESA in University Housing must adhere to guidelines for maintaining their animal in the residential environment. See General Animal Guidelines for the Residence Halls below.
DAS General Animal Guidelines for the Residence Halls (Service Animals and/or ESAs)
- All animals are required to be current on shots, including but not limited to, the first set of basic vaccinations (typically this means the animal is over 6 months in age). It is the responsibility of the handler to ensure this before bringing the animal to OSU. Updated vaccination records may be requested, and the handler will be required to provide them.
- The handler is required to care for the animal. If the handler will not be in the residence for an extended period of time, off-campus care is to be arranged by the handler.
- All animals are required to be housebroken before bringing the animal to OSU. Handlers are responsible for clean-up and appropriate disposal of the animals’ waste.
- All animals are required to be otherwise contained when the handler is not in the room (attending class, in the dining hall, etc.). This may include, but is not limited to, a crate, cage, aquarium, etc.
- Animals are required to always be under the handlers’ control. Animals must not be disruptive or destructive.
- ESAs are only allowed in the eligible handlers’ personal living space.
- Live feed for an ESA is not allowed on any of the OSU campuses.
- A local emergency contact, within 30 miles and not living in UHDS, is required to be identified if living in a UHDS maintained facility.
- UHDS will notify roommates/suitemates of the presence of an animal.
- It is the handler’s responsibility to inform others of how to interact, or not interact, with the animal.
- If an ESA is contained full-time (e.g., fish, rats, snakes, etc.), it is not required to have basic identification. Otherwise, the animal is required to have identification that must include the name and contact phone of the handler. It should not include the hall or room information for the handler.
Please review the OSU Policy on Service & Emotional Support Animals (Assistance Animals) for additional information.
Paged updated: 1/2026