Accessible Learning Center (ALC) Residential Accommodations

A Service Animal is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained, or untrained, are not service animals. Although not a “service animal,” the use of a miniature horse by an individual with a disability is permitted under the ADA in limited circumstances.

When it is not obvious or apparent what service an animal provides, NCF may ask: (1) if the animal is a Service Animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task the animal has been trained to perform. 

Work or tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• pulling a wheelchair,
• assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks,
• alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds,
• assisting an individual during a seizure,
• alerting individuals to the presence of allergens,
• retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone,
• providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and
• helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors.

The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition. Therapy animals and companion animals are not service animals under the ADA.

Service animals assisting individuals with disabilities are generally permitted in all facilities, NCF owned housing, transit vehicles, and programs on the NCF campus that are open to the public or students.  A service animal can be excluded from a facility if its presence poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

Students who wish to bring a service animal to campus are strongly encouraged to partner with the ALC beforehand, especially if other reasonable accommodations are required. If students want the option to register their service animal on campus with the animal’s current vaccination records, they can do this by filling out an online application with the ALC. 

Emotional Support Animal (ESA), sometimes called a therapy animal or companion animal, is an animal that is necessary to afford the student with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy NCF owned housing and provides therapeutic benefit to an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability upon the recommendation of the student’s physician, psychiatrist, social worker, or other licensed mental health professional. An ESA is limited to the student’s specific residence assignment and designated outdoor areas on campus and is not permitted in academic buildings and other campus facilities. An ESA unlike service animals is recognized under the Rehabilitation Act or ADA.

All requests for emotional support animals should be directed to the Accessible Learning Center (ALC) process for “residential accommodation requests”. If a student requests more than one ESA a letter needs to be submitted for each request. The college will determine, on a case-by-case basis, and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, whether the animal is a reasonable accommodation on campus. In doing so, the college will balance the needs of the individual student with the impact of animals on other campus patrons.

Emotional Support Animal Request Form (To be completed by a licensed provider).

NOTE:
The Accessible Learning Center strongly advises students against taking ownership of an animal PRIOR TO FULLY COMPLETING the ESA request process.  Students found in possession of an unauthorized animal in campus housing are subject to a daily fine and removal of the animal.

Care and Supervision:

The individual benefiting from a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA) is responsible for its care, supervision, and associated costs at all times.

Hygiene and Cleanliness:

Service animals and ESAs must be kept clean through regular grooming and bathing to keep animal odor to a minimum. If an animal’s odor becomes offensive, the owner must bathe the animal before the animal can return to the facility. Repeated issues may lead to the animal being temporarily barred from the facility until steps are taken to comply with the rules regarding cleanliness. Flea prevention must be maintained. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their animals and must use designated areas for toileting. If a disability prevents clean-up, the owner must inform the Accessible Learning Center (ALC) so the ALC can work with the individual with a disability on reasonable modifications to this rule.

Control:

The owner/handler must keep the animal under control at all times, using a harness, leash, or carrier. If unable due to disability, the animal must still be controlled by other means. The college may remove the animal if it is not under control.

Vaccination:

Owners must comply with local ordinances regarding licensing and vaccinations. ESAs, especially dogs and cats, must be vaccinated against rabies and display a rabies tag.

Licensing:

All dogs, cats, and ferrets in Sarasota County must be licensed. ESAs must wear tags verifying rabies vaccination.

Health:

ESAs in university housing must have an annual health clearance from a licensed veterinarian, including a vaccination certificate or a health statement for non-dogs/cats. The university may require veterinary attention.

Other Conditions:

The University may place other reasonable conditions or restrictions on animals brought on to campus, depending on the nature and characteristics of the animal.

Liability:

The owner/handler are financially responsible for the actions of assistance animals including bodily injury, property damage, cleaning and/or replacement of furniture, carpet, blinds, and any and all other damages which may arise.