Service Dogs
As established and defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs shall not be excluded from Converse University facilities or activities. A service dog must be individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities include things like seeing, hearing, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, caring for one’s self, learning, speaking, and working.
Service dogs must be controlled by their handler at all times (e.g., leashed or harnessed) while in public, unless these items interfere with the service dog’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. Service dogs often wear a vest identifying them as a service animal, though it is not required. Service dogs may travel with their handler on campus, excluding those areas that may pose a safety risk (e.g., science labs). Service dogs may also live in University housing with proof of received checklist items from Student Accessibility Services.
Emotional Support Animals
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is disability-related housing accommodation. Rather than protected under the ADA, ESAs are viewed as a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (FHA). ESAs are not pets and are prescribed as part of the student's ongoing mental health treatment plan. ESAs are limited to cats and dogs, as exotic animals are prohibited within city limits. ESAs must also be crated when left unattended.
Emotional Support Animals may not reside in University Housing without prior approval from Student Accessibility Services. All Emotional Support Animals residing in University housing must comply with the following ESA process requirements:
- Students must complete an online application and have their mental health provider complete the ESA Disability Verification Form found on the SAS website in My.Converse.
- Students will be required to meet with the Case Manager after submitting your request and documentation.
- If approved, students must provide current veterinary records, proof of flea/tick prevention, proof of Spartanburg City Animal License, and a photo of the animal.
- Students are required to complete an ESA Handler Agreement and provide proof of boarding arrangements before being allowed to bring the animal to campus.
- Any roommates/suitemates must also complete an agreement stating they agree to live with the animal.
Additional Guidelines
- Converse University may exclude a service animal or ESA from housing if it 1) poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others; 2) would cause substantial physical damage to the property of others; 3) would pose an undue financial and administrative burden, and/or 4) results in a fundamental alteration of the University’s program(s).
- Under SC law, service dogs in training are afforded the same rights as fully trained service dogs.
- Unapproved animals in student housing will be subject to immediate removal and their owners will receive a $300 fine.
- Only ONE animal is allowed per student and per room/suite.
- Attempting to pass a pet off as a disability-related animal is not only against campus policy, but is also against the law.
Documentation Guidelines
- Service dogs: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there are no official government-issued service dog registrations, licenses, or certifications. Some trainers will issue cards. Some websites also sell certificates, registrations, and licensing documents for assistance animals to anyone who pays a fee. Documentation generated from these types of websites is not sufficient proof. Validity is solely based on disability-related need and appropriate training of the animal.
- ESAs: Letters purchased online (e.g., Pettable.com, Comforting Companions, etc.) and online ESA certifications (e.g., SupportPets.com or US Service Animals) do not provide the information needed by SAS to deem an ESA accommodation request reasonable. Some websites sell certificates, registrations, and licensing documents for assistance animals to anyone who pays a fee. The letters generated from these sites do not meet our documentation guidelines.
Confidentiality and Authority:
Information regarding disability is considered highly confidential, is maintained in separate, secure files with limited access, and is only shared on a need-to-know basis. Authorizations for animals used for disability-related accommodations are made based on medical and/or mental health documentation and the situation at hand.
Policy Revisions and Review:
This policy is subject to revision and will be reviewed on an annual basis with Residence Life administration. Please keep a copy of your documentation. The Student Accessibility Services office holds documentation for a limited time period after a student leaves the University; all documentation will be destroyed at the end of this time period or upon the request of the student.
Contact Info
Converse University
Student Accessibility Services
580 East Main Street
Spartanburg, SC 29302
accessibilityservices@converse.edu
864.596.9027