Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are defined as dogs or miniature horses trained to work with or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. These tasks include but are not limited to assisting a person who is blind or has low vision, alerting a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, pulling a wheelchair and assisting during a seizure.

At Elizabethtown College, administration can inquire if the animal is required because of a disability and what tasks or work the animal is trained to perform. They then may request that the student submit documentation from their healthcare provider stating that the individual has a disability that requires an animal and in what ways the animal assists the person.

The students are responsible for their animals, which must be under control at all times. Students must provide care and supervision for the animal as well, including keeping it in good health and in compliance with Pennsylvania regulations concerning vaccinations, tags, etc.

Similarly, students with assistance animals are responsible for them. Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), assistance animals can be many species, and they are defined as animals that provide companionship, affection, security and emotional support. They are allowed in residence halls and other campus housing but are not allowed on all of campus.

The request for an animal must be made at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester, and students must fill out the proper forms and provide documentation from their healthcare provider.

Recently, the College announced that pet-friendly housing will be available in Fall 2018. Pets, including small caged animals, cats, and dogs 25 lbs or less will be allowed in spaces in Myer and Royer. This week’s poll gathered student opinions surrounding the issue.

Expert Corner, written by Lynne Davies, Director of Learning Services:

Director of Learning Services Lynne Davies said that while service animals are specific to a disability, assistance animals alleviate one or more symptoms of a disability; it depends on the impairment and the effect of living in a residence setting. She stated that no issues with any service or assistance animals have come to her, but she is aware of possible allergy issues. For the future, the College is considering having an animal-free floor in a residence hall for people with severe allergies.

“Students say it’s a great benefit,” Davies stated.

Twenty-six service and assistance animals have been approved for on-campus use this semester. Davies sends a list of approved animals to Associate Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life Allison Bridgeman, along with Facilities Management and Campus Security.

Davies said that while policies regarding service and assistance animals vary from university to university, Etown follows guidelines set in place by the court case of the U.S. Department of Justice vs. the University of Nebraska at Kearney. In this case, Kearney was accused of refusing to allow students to live with assistance animals as reasonable accommodation for a disability. After this incident, many colleges consented to the guidelines of the FHA.

Davies commented on the separation of assistance animals and pets, which are currently not allowed on campus. However, there is a movement to allow pets on campus, in which case the College could charge a fee. More details are expected to follow the College’s recent decision to allow pets in areas of Myer and Royer.