1. Purpose

   This policy describes the limitations relative to animals and animal pets in Ohio university-owned buildings, outside areas, and vehicles.

2. Scope

   This policy applies to all university employees, students, alumni, visitors, volunteers, and individuals who perform work for the university. 

3. Definitions

   1. "Service animal" is a dog or miniature pony that has been individual trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the service animal must be directly related to the person's disability.
   2. “Service dog in training” is a dog that is in training to perform a task relating to a disability, for a person with a disability.
   3. “Emotional support animal” is an animal that provides benefit to alleviate one or more symptoms of a person’s disability.
   4. “Therapy dog” is a dog trained and certified with its owner, as a team, to provide comfort and stress relief in a variety of situations.

4. General rule regarding animals on campus and exceptions

   Animals and animal pets are generally not permitted within Ohio university buildings or vehicles. The only exceptions to this prohibition are:

   1. Animals used in current teaching, research, and clinical activities, as approved by the office of research compliance.
   2. Service animals.
   3. Service dogs in training. Service dogs in training must be (a) covered by a liability insurance policy provided by a nonprofit special agency with a primary focus of training service animals and (b) registered in accordance with procedures outlined by the office of accessibility services and the office of equity and civil rights compliance. In instances where an individual is training their own service animal, the university may not require proof of a liability insurance policy.
   4. Emotional support animals as approved by the office of accessibility services and registered in accordance with procedures outlined by that office and the office of equity and civil rights compliance.
   5. Therapy dogs used by a licensed mental health provider as part of a treatment plan or as part of special events held on campus, subject to applicable policies and procedures.
   6. Young dogs or puppies undergoing socialization that may later become service animals. Such canines must (a) be registered in accordance with procedures outlined by the office of equity and civil rights compliance and (b) be covered by a liability insurance policy provided by a nonprofit special agency.
   7. Fish in an aquarium of a capacity of thirty gallons or less (larger sizes must be approved by the department of environmental health and safety).
   8. Law enforcement animals (e.g., patrol dogs accompanying police or security officers).
   9. Pets owned by live-in staff residing in campus subject to the live-in professional staff policy and approved by the department of environmental health and safety.
   10. Other animals approved for one-time events, on a case-by-case basis, by the director of enterprise risk management and insurance, in consultation with other offices as appropriate. 

   All dogs in outside areas must be leashed, in accordance with Ohio leash laws. Leashed animals must not be left unattended and must not be tied to trees, railings, or similar immovable objects.

Reviewers

Proposed revisions of this policy should be reviewed by:

1. President
2. Executive Vice President and Provost
3. Executive Staff
4. Vice President for Research
5. Vice President for Student Affairs
6. Associate Vice President for Facilities Management and Safety
7. Director of Environmental Health and Safety
8. Executive Director of Residential Housing
9. Dean of Students
10. ADA/504 Coordinator, Office for University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance
11. Assistant Dean for Student Accessibility

Forms, References, and History

1. Forms

   There are no forms that are specific to this policy.

2. References

   The following items are relevant to this policy:

   1. Policy 03.003 , "ADA Compliance."
   2. The Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. Sections 12101 et seq.
   3. The Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. Sections 3601 et seq.
   4. Revised Code Section 955.01 et seq. 

3. History

   Draft versions of this policy that were circulated for review, their cover memos, their forms, and Reviewers' comments on them are available on the password-protected Review site . Prior versions of this policy were approved on:

   1. February 17, 2025 (approved for interim use in accordance with policy 01.001)
   2. April 25, 2018
   3. March 17, 2009
   4. January 21, 2005