Animals
Classifications of Animals
Service Animal
Emotional Support Animal
Pet
Service Animals
A Service Animal is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other disability. The work or tasks performed must be directly related to the individual’s disability. Emotional support, well-being, comfort and companionship do not constitute work or tasks under this definition.
Why is a Service Animal allowed?
Students who wish to bring a Service Animal to MU are covered by Title II of the ADA, so students may bring their Service Animals to campus – including Residential Life facilities. Students are also not required to disclose they are bringing a Service Animal, but we strongly encourage them to reach out to the Disability Center in advance to ensure their experience bringing an animal to campus is smooth.
What if I'm allergic or fearful of a Service Animal in my room?
A student with a conflicting allergy or phobia will need to contact the MU Disability Center to communicate the concern and provide substantiating documentation. A review of necessary accommodations will occur. Allergies and fear of animals are not valid reasons for Residential Life to deny access or refuse service to students using Service Animals.
What if I don't want to live with a Service Animal?
While we understand that not everyone wants to live with an animal, we may not be able to accommodate advanced notification, accommodations or changes to an assignment. If you learn in advance that you will have a Service Animal living in your room/suite, and you do not want to live with this animal, please reach out to Residential Life. We will explore options to the greatest extent possible.
There is a dog in the lounge on my floor without a leash. Is this allowed?
Service Animals are not required to be on leash but are required to be under control of the handler. Service Animals often accompany their handler anywhere the individual may need to go. If you are in doubt about the behavior or whether the animal is allowed in the lounge (or other spaces within your hall), please reach out to your Hall Coordinator. They may not be able to provide confirmation to you on the specifics of that animal, but they can follow up with the appropriate party if there is a concern.
The Service Animal in my room/suite has damaged the furniture/room. Will I be held responsible?
Please report the damage and your concern to your Hall Coordinator. You most likely will not be held responsible if the damage is clearly created by the animal. If you do not report damage, you may be held liable.
If I see an animal in my community, how will I know if it is an approved animal?
Service Animals do not have an approval process. Student records are confidential. If you have concerns about an animal in your community, reach out to your Hall Coordinator or Residential Life for further assistance.
I'm concerned about the welfare of an animal in my community. What should I do?
Reach out to your on-duty staff if there is concern for the welfare of an animal.
What happens if the animal becomes disruptive in my living environment?
If there is an immediate threat, call 911. Otherwise, please report the disruptive behavior to on-duty staff. Please let us know where you live, and specifics related to your concern. You can also report concerns a number of other ways, if necessary or warranted.
Emotional Support Animals
An Emotional Support Animal (also commonly called an “Assistance Animal”) may provide physical assistance, emotional support, calming and other kinds of assistance. Emotional Support Animals are generally not individually trained to perform tasks or work that would qualify them as Service Animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Emotional Support Animals are also not restricted to certain types of animals and can be animals other than dogs.
Why is an Emotional Support Animal allowed in the community?
Students who wish to bring an Emotional Support Animal into Residential Life facilities as an exception to the Pet policy must go through the reasonable accommodation process with the Disability Center, as covered by the Fair Housing Act. In addition, students with Emotional Support Animals that have been approved as a reasonable accommodation must contain the animal in the handler’s residence. Students generally are not permitted to bring Emotional Support Animals into classrooms, meetings or other university facilities.
What if I am allergic or fearful of the Emotional Support Animal in my room?
Allergies and fear of animals are not valid reasons for denying access or refusing accommodations to students with an Emotional Support Animal. A student with a conflicting allergy or phobia will need to contact the MU Disability Center to communicate the concern and provide substantiating documentation. A review of necessary accommodations will occur.
What if I don't want to live with an Emotional Support Animal?
If you learn you will have an Emotional Support Animal living in your room/suite and you do not want to live with this animal, please reach out to Residential Life to explore options. We will explore options to the greatest extent possible.
There is a dog in the lounge on my floor without a leash. Is this allowed?
In most cases, Emotional Support Animals are not permitted in common areas but are only allowed to reside in the students assigned room or in transit to and from the space for breaking purposes. When coming and going from the facility, Emotional Support Animals are required to be in a crate or on leash. If a dog is seen not on leash in a common area, it may be that the animal serves in Service Animal capacity. Service Animals are not required to be on leash but are required to be under the control of the handler. Service Animals often accompany their handler anywhere the individual may need to go. If you are in doubt about the behavior or whether the animal is allowed in the lounge (or other spaces within your hall), please reach out to your Hall Coordinator. They may not be able to provide confirmation to you on the specifics of that animal, but they can follow up with the appropriate party if there is a concern.
The Emotional Support Animal in my room/suite has damaged the furniture/room. Will I be held responsible?
Please report the damage and your concern to your Hall Coordinator. You most likely will not be held responsible if the damage is clearly created by the animal. If you do not report damage, you may be held liable.
If I see an animal in my community, how will I know if it is an approved animal?
Student records are confidential. If you have concerns about an animal in your community, reach out to your Hall Coordinator or Residential Life for further assistance.
I'm concerned about the welfare of an animal in my community. What should I do?
Reach out to your on-duty staff if there is concern for the welfare of an animal.
What happens if the animal becomes disruptive in my living environment?
If there is an immediate threat, call 911. Otherwise, please report the disruptive behavior to on-duty staff. Please let us know where you live, and specifics related to your concern. You can also report concerns a number of other ways, if necessary or warranted.
Pets
Small animals (not exceeding 5 pounds as an “adult”) that are normally kept in a cage, aquarium or similar appropriate container may be approved to be kept in the resident’s room as a pet.
Why is this pet allowed within my community?
Because Residential Life wants your residential space to be as much like home as possible, some pets are allowed within certain parameters. Residents must request and receive approval to have the pet in a Residential Life facility before bringing the pet to campus (with the exception of fish). Failure to do so may result in denial of pet privileges in a Residential Life facility. Roommates and/or suitemates must agree to having a pet in the room. They will be required to submit a form granting permission for the pet to reside in the residential space and must not be coerced into doing so.
What if I am allergic to the pet in my room?
Pets are only allowed in a student room if all roommates/suitemates have agreed. If you find you are allergic to a pet once you’ve agreed to the pet, you can first speak to your roommate or suitemate about your concern, and you can also reach out to your Hall Coordinator. In most cases, you will need to request a room move if another solution cannot be agreed upon.
What if I don't want to live with a pet?
You must formally agree in advance to a pet in your room or suite. If you do not, the pet will not be approved.
If I see an animal in my community, how will I know if it is an approved animal?
Student records are confidential. If you have concerns about an animal in your community, report to your Hall Coordinator or Residential Life immediately.
I'm concerned about the welfare of an animal in my community. What should I do?
Reach out to your on-duty staff if there is concern for the welfare of an animal.
What happens if the animal becomes disruptive in my living environment?
If there is an immediate threat, call 911. Otherwise, please report the disruptive behavior to on-duty staff. Please let us know where you live, and specifics related to your concern. You can also report concerns a number of other ways, if necessary or warranted.