Service Animals for Persons with Disabilities (2014)
1. Policy Statement
The University of North Carolina Wilmington is committed to providing accommodations
to an otherwise qualified individual with a disability by making a reasonable modification
in its services, programs or activities. The university recognizes that service animals
may be an effective accommodation for these students. The presence of such animals
may, however, present health, safety, security and programmatic issues for all members
of the university community. To preserve the mission of the university, to recognize the
rights and obligations of all members of the community and to ensure the health, safety,
security and educational needs of these members the following criteria and
requirements are adopted.
2. Definitions
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
Service Animal: an animal individually trained to do work, perform tasks or assist
mobility of a person with a disability as defined in the ADA. Animals that may be
covered here include guide dogs for persons with low vision, hearing dogs for
person with hearing impairments, a seizure response dog for persons with
seizure disorders or an assistance dog trained to perform specific tasks for the
persons with other covered disabilities. An animal meeting these requirements
may be permitted as an accommodation for the person with a disability.
Pet: means a domestic animal kept for pleasure or companionship and is not
covered as a service animal
Therapy Animal: an animal requested by a student to provide comfort, friendship
or other “therapeutic” feelings. A therapy animal does not assist an individual
with a disability in the activities of daily living. An animal meeting this definition is
not a service animal and will not qualify as a reasonable accommodation under
ADA. Such animals may therefore be excluded.
Companion Animal: an animal requested by a student to provide calming
influence, affection, stability or security. An animal meeting this definition is not a
service animal and will not qualify as a reasonable accommodation under ADA.
Such animals may therefore be excluded.
3. Responsibilities of Persons Using Service Animals
3.1
3.2
3.3
Any student who wishes to bring or use a service animal, as defined above, must
meet all requirements of this policy. This obligation is on-going and a later failure
to meet all requirements may result in removal or exclusion of the animal.
The student bringing a service animal on campus is responsible for the safety,
health, behavior and actions of the animal at all times.
The student must ensure the following control and behavior requirements are
met:
3.3.1 The student must keep the service animal on a leash/lead at all times;
wandering off leash is not permitted.
3.3.2 The student must be in full control of the animal at all times.
3.3.3 The animal must not obstruct or disturb any space or activity of the
academic program including but not limited to: residence halls,
classrooms and labs, other campus buildings or recreational areas, roads,
walkways and passages on any part of campus, legitimate campus
activities and any other university programs, spaces or activities.
3.3.4 The animal must not engage in other behaviors or noises that are
disruptive to others including but not limited to: barking, whining, growling,
excessive grooming, sniffing people, personal belongings of others, tables
and areas in eating areas.
3.3.5 Cleanup Rules: The student must always carry equipment and bags
sufficient to clean up the animal's waste and properly dispose of waste.
Persons who are not physically able to pick up and dispose of waste are
responsible for making all necessary arrangements for assistance. UNCW
is not responsible for these services.
3.3.6 The animal must not be allowed in spaces considered unsafe for the
animal itself or persons using the areas. Such areas include but are not
limited to: medical facilities, labs, mechanical rooms or other similar
locations that the animal’s presence may constitute a danger or a
fundamental alternation of the program or activity conducted in the area.
4. Responsibilities of University Community
4.1
4.2
4.3
Members of the university community shall allow a service animal to accompany
the owner at all times and everywhere on campus except where stated or posted.
(Section 3.3.6).
The university community will not touch or feed a service animal unless invited to
do so.
The university community will not startle an animal nor attempt to separate the
service animal from its owner.
5. Violations of this Policy
Any student with a service animal who violates any provision of this policy is subject to
discipline under the Student Conduct Code. Such discipline may include the restriction
or removal of the service animal. The student is responsible for the service animal and
any violation of this policy by the animal will be considered a violation by the student
The university has the authority to remove a service animal for violations of this policy.
6. Appeal Procedure
In the event of a dispute about an accommodation relating to a service animal or an
animal restriction the complaining party should follow the appropriate grievance
procedure for students, employees.