Helpful Definitions
Service Animal
A Service Animal is any dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-covered disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The service animal's work or task must be directly related to the individual’s disability.
In certain cases, a miniature horse may be considered a Service Animal and all the provisions in these guidelines and operating procedures that apply to Service Animals also apply to these miniature horses.
Pets are not considered Service Animals; criminal penalties exist for representing a pet as a service animal.
Note: Federal law restricts questioning the handlers of Service Animals to the following:
- Is the dog a Service Animal required because of a disability?
- What disability-related work or task(s) has the animal been trained to perform?
Service Animal in Training
A Service Animal in Training is a dog being trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability as defined by the ADA.
Examples of such work or tasks include but are not limited to:
- 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.
- Performing other duties.
A Service Animal in Training dog must be at least six months of age and be responsive to obedience commands.
Basic obedience training for puppies, typically recognized as puppy raising, represents a small portion of initial behavior training that may lead to certification of service animals.
By itself, activities related to basic obedience training for puppies do not qualify the animal as a service animal in training.
Pets, foster animals not being cared for by a Service Animal owner or handler, and puppies receiving bladder control training and/or general socialization or obedience training are not Service Animals in Training.
To be considered a Service Animal in Training, the animal must be registered with the University.
Emotional Support Animals (ESA)
Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are classified as assistance animals and are recognized by the Fair Housing Act.
They provide emotional support to individuals with a mental or psychiatric disability but are not considered Service Animals.
ESAs are only allowed for persons residing in campus housing. ESA must remain in campus housing or its immediate surrounding area and are not allowed in other university buildings.
Therapy Animals
Therapy Animals are classified as assistance animals and trained to provide comfort and affection to persons other than their handler.
Therapy Animals are specially trained to interact safely with others in various environments and with many populations.
Animals for Exhibition
Animals for Exhibition are those brought to campus for display.
Examples include petting zoos or displays of farm or exotic animals.
Pets
Pets are domesticated animals kept for pleasure rather than utility.
They are animals not included in the above definitions.
The only pets permitted in University Housing are fish. Aquariums for the fish are limited to a ten-gallon capacity tank or smaller.
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What pets are allowed in University housing?
The only pets permitted in University Housing are fish. Aquariums for the fish are limited to a ten-gallon capacity tank or smaller.
Those violating this provision will be required to remove the pet, pay for any damages including any charges for extermination and may face disciplinary action. Additional charges for any required cleaning and/or pest extermination related to a pet violation will be charged to the resident(s).
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Who is responsible for the care and supervision of a Service Animal/Service Animal in Training
The care, management and supervision of animals is the sole responsibility of the student, employee or visitor handler. Care, management and supervision include, but are not limited to, toileting, feeding, grooming, veterinary care and management of animal behavior.
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Are Service Animals/Service Animals in Training allowed in all areas of Clemson’s campus?
No. All animals mentioned are restricted from entering certain areas due to health and safety concerns. These areas include food preparation areas, science, engineering and animal laboratories, University farms, Mechanical rooms, custodial closets, wood, metal and machine shops, and classrooms or other areas with research or demonstration animals.
Access to restricted areas may be authorized by the ADA Coordinator in consultation with the instructor or facility manager on a case-by-case basis. See more information on the ACE website.
Handlers of Service Animals are highly encouraged to inform instructors that they will bring a Service Animal before classes begin. Handlers of Service Animals in Training are required to inform instructors of the animal’s presence before classes begin.
