Service Animals at Utah State University 

General Guidelines

Utah State University (USU) generally permits service animals to accompany their handlers in any buildings or public spaces where the handler is permitted to go, consistent with applicable federal and state law.

A service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to perform specific tasks or do work for a person with a disability. The tasks performed must be directly related to the individual’s disability.

Animals that provide comfort or emotional support but are not trained to perform specific tasks do not qualify as service animals under this definition.

Other animals—including emotional support animals, therapy animals, and pets—are not allowed in USU buildings or facilities, except as otherwise permitted by law or university policy.

Employees with Service Animals

Employees who need a service animal in the workplace must request and receive an approved accommodation through the interactive process.

To initiate a request: 

  • Contact an ADA Coordinator in the Human Resources office, or
  • Complete the accommodation request form available on the HR ADA website.

Requests will be evaluated on an individualized, case-by-case basis.

Handler Responsibilities

Service animal handlers are responsible for the care, control, and behavior of their animals at all times. Specific responsibilities include:

  • Maintaining Control: Service animals must remain under the handler’s control at all times, typically by leash or harness. Exceptions are made if using a leash would interfere with the animal’s duties or if the handler’s disability prevents leash use.
  • Ensuring Appropriate Behavior: Service animals should not disrupt academic, administrative, or workplace activities or pose a safety risk.
  • Clean-Up: Handlers must clean up and properly dispose of the animal’s waste or other debris, unless the handler’s disability prevents them from doing so.
  • Providing Care: All costs and responsibilities for the animal’s care, including food, hygiene, and health, are the handler’s responsibility.

USU does not require service animals to wear a vest identifying them as service animals while on campus, though such identification is encouraged.

Removal of Service Animals

A service animal may be removed from campus if:

  • It is out of control, and the handler fails to take effective action to control it. Repeated incidents may lead to temporary or permanent restrictions on access.
  • It is not housebroken.
  • It poses a direct threat to health or safety, including aggression, poor hygiene, or being in sensitive locations such as sterile medical rooms or hazardous labs.
  • It is ill, showing signs of illness, including but not limited to a known zoonotic disease (a disease of animals, such as rabies or psittacosis, that can be transmitted to humans). A veterinarian’s clearance may be required for the animal to return.

Each situation will be reviewed individually. If an animal is removed, USU will work with the employee to identify other reasonable accommodations, so the employee has the opportunity to fulfill the essential functions of their job and ensure equal access to employment benefits. 

Conflicting Disabilities 

USU recognizes that individuals may have allergies or other medical conditions that rise to the level of a disability. When a conflict arises between two disability-related needs (e.g., a service animal and an allergy), USU will work promptly and in good faith to find a reasonable solution that considers both individuals without automatically prioritizing one disability over another.

Employees with concerns related to allergies or animal presence should contact the ADA Coordinator in Human Resources.

Restricted Areas

In limited cases, service animals may be restricted from certain campus areas where their presence would:

  • Fundamentally alter the nature of a program or service
  • Compromise sterile environments
  • Violate safety protocols or expose the animal to harm (e.g., labs with dangerous equipment or chemicals)

Employees who need access to such areas with their service animal should consult with an ADA Coordinator to explore alternative reasonable accommodations.

Inquiries by USU Staff

When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, USU staff may ask only the following two questions:

  1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
  2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

Staff may not:

  • Ask about the handler’s disability
  • Request medical or training documentation
  • Require the dog to demonstrate the task

If there is uncertainty about whether an animal qualifies, staff should:

  • Allow the animal access,
  • Collect the handler’s contact information if appropriate, and
  • Refer the matter to Human Resources or the Disability Resource Center for review.

Appeals and Grievances

Employees who disagree with a determination regarding a service animal accommodation may submit an appeal through the Office of Human Resources.