Policy 1027 – Animals on University Property

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Section: Operating/Administrative
Policy Number: 1027
Responsible Office: HR/HR Services
Effective Date: 11/10/98
Revised: 8/1/24; 8/22/24

Policy

Except as authorized by this Policy or the Service and Assistance Animal Policy for Students, animals are not permitted on University property or in University-owned or leased buildings.

Definitions

Service Animal – A “Service Animal” is an animal (typically a dog) that has been 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, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties.

Assistance Animal – An “Assistance Animal” provides emotional support, well-being, or comfort.

Individual with a Disability – An “individual with a disability” is an employee or authorized guest with a physical, medical, mental or psychological impairment, or a history or record of such impairment.

Provisions

Service Animals may accompany their handlers at all times and in all places on campus where students, employees, and members of the public are permitted, except where animals are specifically prohibited. 

Employees who wish to bring an Assistance Animal onto campus must engage in the reasonable accommodation process with the Human Resources Benefits team.

Employees with a Service Animal or an Assistance Animal are responsible for complying with all applicable laws.

Exceptions

  • Animals used in University laboratories or classrooms for research or observation purposes;

  • Fish in aquariums in residence halls;

  • Domestic pets that have been specifically approved to reside with a live-in professional staff member in accordance with the Residence Life Pet Policy.

St. John's University, New York
Human Resources Policy Manual