44.120: Animals

1. Purpose

   This policy describes the limitations relative to animals and animal pets in Ohio university-owned buildings, outside areas, and vehicles.

2. Scope

   This policy applies to all university employees, students, alumni, visitors, volunteers, and individuals who perform work for the university.

3. Definitions

   1. "“Service animal” is a dog or miniature pony that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.  The tasks(s) performed by the service animal must be directly related to the person’s disability.
   2. “Service dog in training” is a dog that is in training to perform a task relating to a disability, for a person with a disability. 
   3. “Emotional support animal” is an animal that provides benefit to alleviate one or more symptoms of a person’s disability.
   4. “Therapy dog” is a dog trained and certified with its owner, as a team, to provide comfort and stress relief in a variety of situations.

4. General rules regarding animals on campus and exceptions

   Animals and animal pets are generally not permitted within Ohio university buildings or vehicles. The only exceptions to this prohibition are:

   1. Animals used in current teaching, research, and clinical activities, as approved by the office of research compliance.
   2. Service animals.
   3. Service dogs in training.  Service dogs in training must be (a) covered by a liability insurance policy provided by a nonprofit special agency with a primary focus of training service animals and (b) registered in accordance with procedures outlined by the office of accessibility services and the office of equity and civil rights compliance.  In instances where an individual is training their own service animal, the university may not require proof of a liability insurance policy. 
   4. Emotional support animals as approved by the office of accessibility services and registered in accordance with procedures outlined by that office and the office of equity and civil rights compliance.
   5. Therapy dogs used by a licensed mental health provider as part of a treatment plan or as part of special events held on campus, subject to applicable policies and procedures.   
   6. Young dogs or puppies undergoing socialization that may later become service animals.  Such canines must (a) be registered in accordance with procedures outlined by the office of equity and civil rights compliance and (b) be covered by a liability insurance policy provided by a nonprofit special agency.  Please note: these young dogs or puppies may be in classrooms with faculty permission. These young dogs or puppies are strictly prohibited from living in campus housing.
   7. Fish in an aquarium of a capacity of thirty gallons or less (larger sizes must be approved by the department of environmental health and safety).
   8. Law enforcement animals (e.g., patrol dogs accompanying police or security officers).
   9. Pets owned by live-in staff residing in campus subject to the live-in professional staff policy and approved by the department of environmental health and safety.
   10. Other animals approved for one-time events, on a case-by-case basis, by the director of Enterprise Risk Management & Insurance, in consultation with other offices as appropriate.

   All dogs in outside areas must be leashed, in accordance with Ohio leash laws. Leashed animals must not be left unattended and must not be tied to trees, railings, or similar immovable objects.

Forms, References, and History

1. Forms

   There are no forms that are specific to this policy.

2. References

   The following items are relevant to this policy:

   1. Policy 03.003, "ADA Compliance."
   2. The Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. Sections 12101 et seq.
   3. The Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. Sections 3601 et seq.
   4. Revised Code Section 955.01 et seq. 

3. History

   Draft versions of this policy that were circulated for review, their cover memos, their forms, and Reviewers' comments on them are available on the password-protected Review site. Prior versions of this policy were approved on:

   1. February 17, 2026 (interim status extended in accordance with policy 01.001) 
   2. February 17, 2025 (approved for interim use in accordance with policy 01.001)
   3. April 25, 2018
   4. March 17, 2009
   5. January 21, 2005