Florida Atlantic University Student Accessibility Services Service Animals versus Emotional Support Animals

Office for Students with Disabilities ADAAA at FAU Under Title II and III of the ADAAA, service animals are limited to dogs. However, entities must make reasonable modifications in policies to allow individuals with disabilities to use miniature horses if they have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for individuals with disabilities. The ADAAA states that businesses and organizations that serve the public must allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals into all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. This federal law applies to FAU. Office for Students with Disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act As Amended (ADAAA) defines service animals: Dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Guiding people who are blind. Alerting people who are deaf. Pulling wheelchairs. Alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure. Reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications. Calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack. Performing other special tasks.

Service Animals Higher education institutions may not require any documentation about the training or certification of a service animal. They may, however, require proof that a service animal has any vaccinations required by state or local laws that apply to all animals. By law you are allowed to ask ONLY two (2) questions with regard to service animals: Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

Therapy or Emotional Support Animals While Emotional Support Animals or Comfort Animals are often used as part of a medical treatment plan as therapy animals, they are not considered service animals under the ADAAA. These support animals provide companionship, relieve loneliness, and sometimes help with depression, anxiety, and certain phobias, but do not have special training to perform tasks that assist people with disabilities.

At FAU https://youtu.be/l1VVbXYtIsw Does not apply to service animals. In compliance with the Fair Housing Act, emotional support or therapy animals will be allowed in housing, but the student will not be able to take the animal elsewhere on campus. Currently, students must request emotional support or therapy animals as an accommodation and follow the SAS registration process (ESA Verification Form is available online) Does not apply to service animals. https://youtu.be/l1VVbXYtIsw

Remember: Service animals are not pets and should not be petted or distracted from their duty. Questions?