Student Services Manual (SSM)

Effective: 7/20/2015

Revised:11/1/2020

SSM 701–07: Assistance Animals in University Housing

Purpose

To provide guidelines on Assistance Animals in university housing

Sources

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 United States Code §§ 701–796

Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, 42 United States Code § 3601 et seq.

24 CFR 100.204

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990, 2008), 42 United States Code § 12101 et seq.

Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services

Policy

Students seeking permission to have an assistance animal that is not a service animal, in their university residence, are required to register with Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services and follow the standard accommodation process of submitting disability documentation that supports the need for an assistance animal. Contact Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services or University Housing for more information.

Assistance animals can be any animal that provides emotional support to alleviate one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. It is not required that an assistance animal be trained to perform a particular task for the owner.

Arizona State University, in consultation with the resident and other parties as appropriate, may consider the criteria below in determining whether the presence of the animal is reasonable in the making of housing assignments for individuals with assistance animals:

• Whether the animal poses or has posed in the past a direct threat to the individual or others;
• Whether the animal causes or has caused damage to housing beyond reasonable wear and tear;
• Whether the size of the animal is too large for available assigned housing space;
• Whether the animal's presence would unreasonably interfere with another resident’s ability to enjoy the housing opportunity (e.g. serious allergies);
• Whether the animal's presence otherwise violates individuals' right to peace and quiet enjoyment; and
• Whether the animal is housebroken or is unable to live with others in a reasonable manner.

See the Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services Web sites for additional information

Cross-References

For more information, see:

1. SSM 701–06, “Service Animals on ASU’s Campuses”

   and

2. SSM 701–08, “Responsibilities of Individuals with Service,Assistance Animals on Campus and Exclusions from Campus.”

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