Hampton University recognizes the importance of Service Animals to individuals with disabilities and has established the following policy regarding Service Animals. This policy ensures that individuals with disabilities, who require the use of a Service Animal, receive the benefit of the work or tasks performed by such animals.

According to the American with Disabilities Act, Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

In addition to the provisions about service dogs, revised ADA regulations have a new, separate provision about miniature horses that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Miniature horses generally range in height from 24 inches to 34 inches measured to the shoulders and generally weigh between 70 and 100 pounds.) The regulations set out four assessment factors to assist entities in determining whether miniature horses can be accommodated in their facility. The assessment factors are (1) whether the miniature horse is housebroken; (2) whether the miniature horse is under the owner’s control; (3) whether the facility can accommodate the miniature horse’s type, size, and weight; and (4) whether the miniature horse’s presence will not compromise legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operation of the facility.

Registering a Service Animal on Campus

1. The individual with a disability should contact the Office of the Director of Compliance and Disability Services as soon as he/she is aware of plans to bring a service animal to campus.
2. To register a service animal on campus the individual with a disability should complete the Service Animal Registration Form and submit it to the Office of the Director of Compliance and Disability Services.
3. When it is not obvious what service the animal provides, the student must provide from a certified clinician a letter which substantiates: (1) if the service animal is required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task the service animal has been trained to perform.  The letter must be dated and on letterhead and submitted to the Office of the Director of Compliance and Disability Services.

Management of a Service Animal

1. The service animal must be vaccinated and licensed as required by state law and/or local ordinance. In accordance with the Hampton City Code it shall be unlawful for any person to own a dog or cat four (4) months old or older in the city, unless such dog or cat is licensed.
2. The service animal is the full responsibility of the individual with a disability, must be consistently in control of the animal. The individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. If the animal is not under control or poses a risk to the health and or safety of others, then the individual may be asked to remove the animal.
3. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices.
4. The individual with a disability must be in the presence of the service animal at all times.
5. The service animal must be clean and in good health.  If a service animal is in poor health the individual with a disability may be asked to remove the animal from University property.
6. To the extent possible, the service animal should be unobtrusive to other students and the learning environment.
7. The individual with a disability is responsible for cleaning and removing or arranging for the removal of the animal’s waste. Feces must be disposed of properly.  This includes University common areas and exterior property such as sidewalks.

Conflicting Medical Conditions
Individuals with medical conditions affected by service animals should contact the Office of the Director of Compliance and Disability Services if there is a health or safety concern about exposure to a service animal. The person reporting the concern will be asked to provide medical documentation so that a determination may be made regarding a need for accommodation.

Student Health Center

Except in emergency visits, students with a service animal must notify the staff in the Student Health Center in advance of the presence of a service animal to ensure that patient safety is not compromised, as well as the need to minimize the risk of exposing the service animal to infections and disease.