Student Affairs
Hampton University
Wigwam Rm. 100
Hampton Virginia 23668
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.
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.
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.
Barbara Inman, Ed. D.
Vice President of Administrative Services