Service Animals
(Revised May 5, 2006)
It is the university's policy to permit service animals on campus to assist individuals who are disabled or who indicate that the animal with them provides specific service to them. This statement relates to individuals who visit the main campus to obtain information about Regent, to attend class, or to obtain various campus services (Regent Bookstore, Regent Ordinary, etc. It also applies to individuals seeking employment, and to those who are employed at Regent University.
The university may inquire as to the service that the animal provides, when such service is not readily apparent. Human Resources will determine the appropriate level of discussion/documentation for employees, and Student Services will determine the appropriate level of discussion/documentation for students desiring to bring service animals on campus, based on the specific employee/student situation. Students who wish to reside in student housing and who have an animal that they wish to bring with them, must provide appropriate information to Student Services.
Service animals will be allowed on university premises, (including food service areas where state and/or local health codes prohibit animals other than service animals) except when:
- The animal is out of control and the animal owner does not take effective action to control it, e.g. a dog that barks repeatedly; or
- The animal poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others (allergies and fear of animals are generally not valid reasons for denying an employee the right to have a service animal on university premises).
Regent University will not provide care or food for a service animal or provide a special location for the animal to relieve itself. The owner shall be responsible for all such feeding and care of the service dog, and for waste removal. Service animals should be leashed while on university property. Service animals are working animals, not pets. Pets are not allowed on university premises.
