Oregon State University recognizes the importance of Service dogs and emotional support animals (ESA), and the assistance they can provide to people with disabilities.
However, service dogs and ESAs, are not the same and are not interchangeable. They perform different functions.
Service Animals/Dogs
A service animal is a dog 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 dogs have received specialized training to perform work or tasks for their handler as related to their disability. Service dogs 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 dog to live or be present on campus with them, please review the OSU Policy on Service & Assistance Animals.
Disability Access Services (DAS) strongly encourages all students with a service dog, that will be accompanying them on campus, to apply to DAS. (See Chapter 2, Applying with DAS). This is not required. However, by using DAS services, students will have the ability to inform their instructors in advance that they will have a service dog in the classroom, lab, etc.
Service Dogs in Teaching, Research, and Physical Shop Laboratories: Guidance for Instructors, Staff and Students
Having a service dog 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 dog in a lab environment. (link to Service Dogs in Labs guidance)
Voluntary Service Dog Registration and ID
To support our students with service dogs on the campus, DAS has developed a voluntary service dog registration process. Once a student applies to DAS, the DAS staff will work with the student to obtain a yearly OSU ID badge for their service dog at no cost to the student. The service dog ID badge will include a picture of the service dog, the handler’s name, the dog’s name and indicate this is a DAS approved service dog.
If you are planning to live in an OSU residential facility and bring a service dog with you, please follow the steps outlined in Chapter 24 (On-Campus Housing Accommodations).
Important Information Regarding Service Dogs:
The handler's responsibilities while the service dog is on campus include the following (depending on the environment, additional responsibilities may be necessary):
- Maintain control of your service dog. The dog should be under leash, harness, hand and/or voice command at all times.
- The handler is responsible for the behavior of the service dog. Some examples of unacceptable behavior include uncontrolled barking, jumping, sniffing, growling and whining, etc., if not related to a specific service the dog is providing.
- The handler is responsible for cleaning up after the dog while the dog is on campus.
- 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 dog.
- The handler must ensure all legal requirements have been met for the dog to be in public places (vaccinations, licensure, ID tags, etc.) mandated by State and/or local ordinances in order for the dog to be on campus.
- The handler must accompany the service dog at all times.
- While it is not required, it is recommended that a service dog wear recognizable identification. This will alert others that the dog is working and not a pet.
A faculty or a staff member may not inquire about the nature or extent of your disability, but may make two (2) inquiries when it is not readily apparent that the dog is a service dog:
- Is the dog required because of a disability? and;
- What work or tasks has the dog been specifically trained to perform related to your disability?
Emotional Support Animal (ESA)
An emotional support animal, sometimes referred to as an assistance 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 considered a service dog 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 for the student to have equal access to the residential environment.
A student who has been approved for an ESA in University Housing must adhere to guidelines for maintaining their animal in the residential environment. This includes but is not limited to:
- The animal must be healthy and up to date on any county or state required vaccinations. This includes having completed its first full set of vaccinations (this usually means the animal is at least 6 months of age).
- The animal cannot pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
- The animal must be housebroken and crate-trained. This does not pertain to animals already living in a container/cage.
- The animal must effectively be under the handler’s control at all times.
- Live feed is not approved for ESAs living in the residential environment at OSU.
If a student is interested in bringing an ESA to live on campus with them, please review the OSU Policy on Service & Assistance Animals.
In order to have an ESA on campus, student must complete the On-Campus Housing Accommodation process detailed in Chapter 24.
DAS General Animal Guidelines for the Residence Halls
• All Service Dogs (SDs) and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are required to be current on shots, including but not limited to, the first set of basic vaccinations. It is the responsibility of the handler to ensure this before bringing the animal to OSU. At any time while the animal is at OSU, vaccination records may be requested, and the handler will be required to provide them.
• The eligible handler is required to care for the ESA. If the eligible handler will not be in the residence for an extended period of time (more than 6 hours), off-campus care is to be arranged.
• All SDs and ESAs are required to be housebroken before bringing the animal to OSU. Handlers are responsible for clean-up and appropriate disposal of the animals’ waste.
• ESAs 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 cage, aquarium, crate, etc.
• ESAs and SDs are required to be under the handlers’ control at all times. ESAs and SDs are expected to follow the same rules and regulations the handler follows in UHDS (noise, location, etc.) This includes, but is not limited to barking, whining, etc.
• ESAs are only allowed in the eligible handlers’ living space, not elsewhere on campus. This is limited to the eligible handlers’ room and common living spaces (lounge, kitchen, and bathroom). The ESA must always be accompanied by the handler while in these spaces.
• Cleaning/grooming of SDs and ESAs is not allowed in campus facilities. Off-campus resources are available. Please check local listings for one that meets your needs.
• Live feed for your ESA is not allowed on any of the OSU campuses.
• A local emergency contact, within 30 miles and not living in UHDS, is required if living in a UHDS maintained facility.
• If a student has SD or is approved for an ESA, the student does not automatically qualify for a single room; UHDS will notify roommates/suitemates of an animal.
• In our experience, an established relationship with the animal sets a foundation for success in transitioning an animal to a university housing situation.
• It is the handler’s responsibility to teach others how to interact, or not interact, with the ESA.
• 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 DAS Animal Guidelines and Service Dogs in Teaching, Research, and Physical Shop Laboratories for additional information.
Updated 10/2024