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Students and third parties who wish to bring a service animal onto college property – including classrooms and college buildings open to the public – may do so without prior approval. However, students are strongly encouraged to contact Disability Support Services to ensure that their experience bringing the animal to campus is without issue.

When it is not obvious or apparent what disability-related service an animal provides, college personnel may ask: (1) if the animal is a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task the animal has been trained to perform. College personnel cannot ask for details about the individual’s disability, require medical documentation, or require proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal..

Service Animals in Training

Service animals in training are permitted in all public facilities on the same basis as working service animals, provided that the animal is on a leash and is being led or accompanied by a trainer for the purpose of training the animal and the trainer has documentation confirming the trainer is affiliated with a recognized or certified service animal training organization.

Control of Service Animals

A service animal must be under the control of its handler. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal’s safe and effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

Please refer to OTC policy 4.11 for further information.

FAQs about Service Animals

Regulations about Service Animals

Students who wish to bring an ESA onto college property must go through the reasonable accommodation process with Disability Support Services. While accommodation requests will be accepted and considered at any time, requests should be filed at least 30 days before the student intends to bring the animal to the college in order to ensure timely consideration. An ESA will not be allowed until formal approval has been received.

To ensure that the presence of an ESA is not an undue administrative burden or fundamental alteration of a college program or activity, the college will consider each request for an ESA on an individualized basis.

1. Upon receipt of a request for an ESA, Disability Support Services will engage in communication with the student to determine if the use of the animal is a reasonable accommodation.

2. In order for an ESA to be considered as a reasonable accommodation for a student with a disability, supportive documentation should be from a professional healthcare provider (on letterhead) and generally include the following information:

• A current diagnostic statement that identifies the disability, including date of initial and most current diagnosis, any evaluations/testing that support the diagnosis, and a description of the functional limitation of the disability;
• Information regarding the relationship between the disability and the relief the animal provides; and
• Information that demonstrates the animal is necessary in order for the student to utilize and benefit from the college’s programs, services, or activities.

Please refer to OTC Policy 4.11 for further information.

An emotional support animal provides passive support in the form of companionship for the benefit of an individual with a disability. A student wishing to use an emotional support animal on campus must complete the accommodation process through Disability Support Services (DSS). This process includes:

1. Completing a Disability Support Application. Please visit the Apply page.
2. Completing an intake interview with a DSS Accessibility Coordinator
3. Having a qualified provider (psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed professional counselor, licensed clinical social worker, or other mental health professional) complete the ESA Request for Information Form (link below) and returning it to the DSS office

ESA Request for Information Form

DSS can help advocate for students with emotional support animals once they have completed all three steps above.

If you have questions concerning service animals or emotional support animals, please contact us.

Accommodation requests can be denied if a student does not have diagnosable or perceived disability and/or if the request is not “reasonable.”

An accommodation is not reasonable if it is:

• A threat to the health and safety of self or others
• An undue financial or administrative burden
• Gives an unfair advantage to a student
• Disruptive or a substantial alteration in the manner in which the program or services are offered.

A college is not required to change a course or program to fulfill a student’s desire to be in that course or program.

NOTE: An accommodation cannot be applied retroactively. Once established, accommodations are for that date forward.