{"id":807,"date":"2018-05-16T15:02:18","date_gmt":"2018-05-16T19:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/disability-draft\/?page_id=807"},"modified":"2026-02-22T02:53:02","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T07:53:02","slug":"service-animals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/disability\/service-animals\/","title":{"rendered":"Service Animals"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Service Animals<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Please review the information on this page to learn more about the policies in place at the University of Rhode Island (URI) to support students with service animals. While students do not need to request the use of a service animal, it is helpful to notify Disability, Access, and Inclusion (DAI).<\/p>\n\n<\/article><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n

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uri policy for service animals<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
student responsibility for care of service animals<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Definitions of A Service Animal:<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Service Animal:<\/strong> a working dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, performing other duties, etc. The work or task that the dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person\u2019s disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A service dog is NOT a pet or designated as an Emotional Support Animal, but rather, are a medically necessary component of equal access for individuals who utilize them.. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADAAA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Service-puppies-in-training:<\/strong>\u00a0Under Rhode Island statute, puppies who are being raised and trained by agencies such as Guiding Eyes for the Blind or other legitimate training agencies are afforded similar privileges and access as certified service dogs. For the specific procedure to follow, please contact the Dean of Students Office, Assistant Dean of Students for Accessibility and Inclusion, at\u00a0dai@uri.edu<\/a>\u00a0or by phone 401-874-2098.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

URI Policy for Service Animals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is the general policy of the University of Rhode Island (\u201cURI\u201d) that pets ARE NOT allowed in campus buildings or in URI Housing Facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where service dogs are allowed:<\/strong> Under the ADAAA and State\/Local government regulations, service dogs are allowed to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the university where students, faculty, staff, or members of the public are allowed to go. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service dog from certain sterile environments or where the presence of the dog creates a risk of harm or disruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(For example: service dogs are allowed in classrooms, administrative buildings, residential areas, and dining areas. However, a dog may be excluded from surgical areas or animal research areas where the dog would create a disruption or compromise a sterile environment. In such cases, alternate accommodations will be provided to the person with the disability.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons to deny access to a service dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Service Animals Must Be Under Control: <\/strong>under the ADAAA and RI State Statute, service animals must, at all times, be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal\u2019s work or if the individual\u2019s disability prevents use of these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inquiries about Service Animals:\u00a0<\/strong>When it is not obvious what service an animal is providing, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask TWO questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n