Animals on Campus

Students requesting an ESA as an accommodation must:

1. Submit the OARS online registration form to initiate the accommodation request process. If you are already established with OARS, a supplemental request should be submitted.
   • Complete the In Case of Emergency (ICE) Removal Form while filling out your request. This will require you to identify an off-campus person who is not a current HPU student, staff, or faculty member who will take possession of the animal if the animal must be excluded from campus per the ESA Policy.
   • Review and acknowledge agreement with the Rules and Responsibilities of a Resident with an Approved Emotional Support Animal through the OARS Accommodate portal.
2. Schedule an appointment with an OARS Accessibility Specialist to discuss the request.
3. Submit the completed all required documentation,  including:
   • The OARS Emotional Support Animal Form signed by a qualified healthcare professional.** (This form will be shared with the student during the ESA intake meeting.) NOTE: HPU does not accept ESA form letters or documentation obtained from letter-writing services (“mill” letters) as an acceptable form of documentation.
   • Current veterinary records dated within the past 12 months must be provided and must include the animal’s species, breed (if applicable), age, spay/neuter status, veterinary examination records, current vaccination status, evidence of appropriate flea and tick prevention or treatment, and the date of adoption or purchase.
   • A current photo of the Emotional Support Animal.
4. Upon approval via eligibility letter, student will receive an identification tag and door decal for the ESA.

** A qualified healthcare professional, for our purposes, is defined as an individual with appropriate professional credentials, who is not related to the Resident, and whose professional training qualifies them to diagnose and treat the impairments associated with the student’s disability. The student must be a current patient of the professional completing the documentation or have a documented, established history of treatment with that professional. Each question on the required form must be completed by the qualified healthcare professional. Examples of a qualified medical professional include: a health care provider, therapist, counselor, or social worker.

NOTE: Residents requesting an ESA should complete the steps above at least 6 weeks prior to the first day of the semester or academic year when they intend to bring the ESA to campus. The student requesting the ESA will be notified if the ESA is approved or if OARS needs additional information regarding the request. Decisions regarding ESAs may take three or more weeks after documentation from a Medical Doctor, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Counselor, or Therapist has been received by OARS.  If medical documentation is incomplete or illegible, this may further delay the decision. If the ESA is approved, the student will receive written notification via their HPU email address, and an approved move-in date for the ESA. The ESA may come to campus on or after the date indicated in the approval letter. OARS recommends students begin the process no later than 8 weeks prior to the start of the semester.

OARS will conduct an individualized assessment of all ESA accommodation requests. A request for an ESA may be denied as unreasonable if the presence of the animal: (1) does not meet the requirements for approval under applicable state and federal disability regulations; (2) creates an undue financial or administrative burden; (3) fundamentally alters University housing policies or operations; (4) poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or would result in substantial property damage, including damage to University property; or (5) otherwise creates an unreasonable interference with the operations of the University.

Conflicting Health Conditions and Aversions 

Students who have medical conditions or aversions that may be triggered by animals — including, but not limited to, allergies, asthma, respiratory conditions, or zoophobia — should contact the Office of Student Life to confirm completion of the ESA Preferences Questionnaire regarding shared housing with animals provided to all residential students. This form must be submitted prior to the start of the academic semester for Housing to consider requests for reassignment. Any issues that arise during the semester will be addressed by Residence Life.

Denials of Requests for Emotional Support Animals 

The Resident will receive written notification via their HPU email address with reasons for the denial. The Resident has the right to appeal. The appeal process can be found in the student’s eligibility letter.

Emotional Support Animal Approval

Students previously approved for an ESA, with updated vaccination records, are not required to renew the ESA. The Resident is responsible for submitting updated vaccination records and/or annual veterinary visit reports to OARS prior to expiration of the current records (or anniversary date of ESA approval if vaccinations are not required for the animal). If the Resident fails to submit updated records, OARS will file an ESA violation report and the ESA will be deemed an “unauthorized animal.” For more information about ESAs including the ESA Policy and the Rules and Responsibilities of a Resident with an Approved ESA on the Animals on Campus page.

Rules and Responsibilities of a Resident with an Approved Emotional Support Animal

The Resident must agree to abide by the Rules and Responsibilities of a Resident with an Approved Emotional Support Animal.

If approved as an accommodation, the Resident is solely responsible for the care, supervision, and behavior of the ESA and must comply with the following requirements:

General Responsibilities:

1. Approval Requirements: BEFORE a Resident may bring the requested ESA to campus, the Resident must be officially approved by OARS following the ESA request process. This includes meeting with an Accessibility Specialist, submitting all supporting documentation, submitting a photo of the proposed ESA. The ESA may only arrive on campus on the date identified in the official letter of approval. If the ESA request occurs in the middle of the semester, the ESA approval will (in most cases) begin at the start of the next semester.
   • The ESA approval remains valid while the Resident is enrolled and residing in University housing unless the approval is modified, suspended, or removed due to policy violations or changes in circumstances.
   • ESA approval is valid only for the specific animal OARS names in the official ESA approval letter. To replace a previously approved ESA, the Resident must complete a supplemental accommodation request and provide up-to-date documentation for a new ESA.
   • Approved cats and dogs must be spayed or neutered prior to arriving on campus. Additional animals resulting from breeding or an ESA giving birth while on campus will be considered unauthorized.
   • Generally, animals considered for ESA approval must be a cat or dog, at least on year of age, and have an established bond with the Resident for at least six (6) months.

2. ESA Identification: The Resident must display the ESA identification tag on the animal’s collar and housing door decal provided by OARS. Failure to properly identify the approved ESA may result in the animal being treated as an unauthorized animal.
3. Animal Location and Control: An ESA must remain in the Resident’s assigned individual room and must be secured in a carrier, cage, or kennel when the Resident is not present. An ESA may be in shared living spaces (such as a suite living room) only when the Resident is present and all suitemates have provided permission. The ESA is not permitted in other students’ rooms or public spaces of the University (i.e., classrooms, academic buildings, administrative buildings, etc.). When outside the residence, the ESA must be under the Resident’s control using appropriate restraints or containment. The Resident must use designated routes and locations identified by Housing and Residence Life for the ESA’s outdoor needs.
4. Animal Care and Behavior: The Resident is responsible for the ESA’s daily care, including feeding, grooming, veterinary care, and maintaining appropriate living conditions. The Resident must immediately clean up animal waste and ensure the ESA does not create unreasonable disturbances, including excessive noise or disruptive behavior.
5. Veterinary Records and Compliance: The Resident must maintain compliance with applicable local, state, and federal animal requirements and submit updated veterinary/vaccination records (including rabies and wellness records), or other required documentation to OARS by the established deadlines. OARS will send reminders of upcoming vaccination records and/or annual veterinary visit reports at the three (3) month, two (2) month, and one (1) month mark prior to the expiration date. Failure to submit updated documentation may result in an ESA violation report, and the ESA may be considered an unauthorized animal subject to applicable sanctions.
6. Housing Responsibility and Costs:
   • The Resident must communicate their intent to bring an ESA to current and future roommates/suitemates. HPU may notify roommates/suitemates of an approved ESA accommodation as necessary to facilitate housing arrangements. In some circumstances, the Resident and roommates/suitemates may be required to participate in the ResLife Roommate Mediation process.
   • The Resident will be financially responsible for expenses incurred above standard cleaning or for repairs (beyond reasonable wear and tear) to the residential premises, including losses, liability, claims, and harm to others caused by the ESA.
   • The Resident is responsible for ensuring appropriate care arrangements for their ESA whenever they are away from campus or unable to provide care. The ESA may not be left in the care of any other HPU student or employee.
   • HPU may conduct inspections of the Resident’s living space as needed to ensure compliance with ESA responsibilities and address concerns related to sanitation, pests, or property damage. The Resident may be responsible for associated costs.
   • HPU is not responsible for retrieving lost, escaped, or missing ESAs.

7. Changes in ESA Status: The Resident must notify OARS in writing if the ESA is no longer needed as an accommodation.

Failure to Comply: The Resident acknowledges that failure to comply with the ESA Policy or the Rules and Responsibilities of a Resident with an Approved ESA may result in sanctions or removal of the ESA from University housing, and/or referral through the student conduct process through the Office of Community Standards and/or the Office of Student Life.

Click HERE for a copy of the Rules and Responsibilities of a Resident with an Approved Emotional Support Animal.

Service dogs that are required because of a disability and individually trained to perform specific tasks or work are welcome on the High Point University campus and are expected to be under the handler’s control at all times.

Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work tasks include 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 a mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties.  Service animals are working animals, not pets.  The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability.  Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. (ADA.gov Bulletin July 2011)

Service Animal Policy

I. High Point University’s Inquiries Regarding Service Animals

II. Responsibilities of Handlers

III. Removal of Service Animals

IV. Conflicting Disabilities

V. Emergency Response

VI. Public Etiquette towards Service or Assistance Animals

VII. Service Animals in Training

In compliance with all applicable ADA laws, HPU allows Service Animals in its buildings, classrooms, residence halls, meetings, dining areas, recreational facilities, activities and events when the animal is accompanied by an individual with a disability who indicates the Service Animal is trained to provide and does provide, a specific service to them that is directly related to their disability.

HPU may not permit Service Animals when the animal poses a substantial and direct threat to the health or safety of others or when the presence of the animal constitutes a fundamental alteration to the nature of the program or service. HPU will make those determinations on a case-by-case basis.

I. High Point University’s Inquiries Regarding Service Animals

By law, HPU staff and faculty are not permitted to inquire about the nature or extent of a person’s disability requiring a Service Animal. Personnel may make two inquiries to determine whether an animal qualifies as a Service Animal:

1. Is the animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task is the animal trained to perform?

If the individual answers the second question with a vague/undetailed response (e.g., “the animal provides me comfort”) rather than a specific, observable task, the individual should be referred to OARS to complete the ESA accommodation request process.

HPU cannot require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a Service Animal. Generally, HPU may not make any inquiries about a Service Animal when it is readily apparent that the animal is trained to do work or perform tasks for the individual with a disability (e.g., the animal is observed guiding an individual who is blind or has low vision, pulling a person’s wheelchair, or providing assistance with stability or balance to an individual with an observable mobility disability). Students who disclose their use of a Service Animal will be strongly urged to pick up an animal identification tag and door decal to avoid any concerns with Residence Life.

Specific questions related to the use of Service Animals on the HPU campus by visitors can be directed to the Director of the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services via email at [email protected] or by phone at (336) 841-9026.

II. Responsibilities of Handlers

Students bringing a Service Animal to campus are strongly encouraged to partner with OARS. Additionally, students who live in University-owned housing should provide current and up-to-date veterinary vaccination and record of flea and tick treatment. OARS staff may offer a tag and decal to the student with a Service Animal, but the student is not required to utilize these items.

Handlers are responsible for any damage or injuries caused by their animals and must take appropriate precautions to prevent property damage or injury. The cost of care, arrangements, and responsibilities for the well-being of a Service Animal are the handler’s sole responsibility.

1. Service Animal Control Requirements
   1. The animal should be on a leash when not providing a needed service to the student.
   2. The animal should always respond to voice or hand commands and be in full control of the handler.
   3. To the extent possible, the animal should be unobtrusive to other individuals in the learning, living, and working environment.
2. Service Animal Etiquette
   1. To the extent possible, the handler should ensure that the animal does not:
      1. Sniff people, tables, or the personal belongings of others.
      2. Display any behaviors or make noises that are disruptive to others unless it is part of the service being provided to the handler.
      3. Block an aisle or passageway for fire egress.
3. Waste Cleanup
   1. Cleaning up after the animal is the sole responsibility of the handler. In the event that the handler is not physically able to clean up after the animal, it is then the responsibility of the handler to hire someone capable of cleaning up after the animal. The person cleaning up after the animal should abide by the following guidelines:
      1. Always carry equipment sufficient to clean up the animal’s feces whenever the animal is on campus.
      2. Properly dispose of waste in appropriate containers.

III. Removal of Service Animals or Service Animals in Training

Service Animals and Service Animals in Training may be ordered to be removed by HPU Security and Transportation and/or Residence Life for the following reasons:

• An out-of-control animal: A handler may be directed to remove an animal that is out of control and the handler is not taking effective action to control it. If improper animal behavior happens repeatedly, the handler may be prohibited from bringing the animal into any University facility until the handler can demonstrate that he/she has taken significant steps to mitigate the behavior.
• Non-housebroken animal- a handler may be directed to remove an animal that is not housebroken.
• Direct threat- A handler may be directed to remove an animal that HPU determines to be a substantial and direct threat to the health and safety of individuals. This may occur because of an extremely ill animal, an animal exhibiting aggression toward others, a substantial lack of cleanliness of the animal, or the presence of an animal in a sensitive area, such as a medical facility, certain laboratories, or mechanical/industrial areas.

Where a Service Animal and Service Animal in Training is removed pursuant to this policy, HPU will work with the handler to determine reasonable alternative opportunities to participate in the service, program, or activity without having the Service Animal on the premises.

IV. Conflicting Disabilities

Some people have allergic reactions to animals that are substantial enough to qualify as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. HPU will consider the needs of both people in meeting its obligations to reasonably accommodate all disabilities and to resolve the problem as efficiently and expeditiously as possible. Students requiring allergy accommodations should contact the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services.

V. Emergency Response

In the event of an emergency, HPU first responders should be trained to recognize Service Animals and be aware that the animal may be trying to communicate the need for help. The animal may become disoriented from the smell of smoke in a fire or laboratory emergency, from sirens or wind noise, or from shaking and moving ground. The handler or animal may be confused from the stressful situation. First responders should be aware that the animal is trying to be protective and, in its confusion, should not automatically be considered harmful. The Emergency Response Team (ERT) should make every effort to keep the animal with its handler. However, the ERT’s first effort should be toward the handler.

VI. Service Animals in Training (SAiT)

A Service Animal in Training (SAiT) is defined as an animal being trained to provide a specific service to an individual with a disability.  The service(s) the animal is being trained to provide must be directly related to the individual’s disability.

In accordance with North Carolina statute NCGS 168-4.2, an animal in training to become a service animal is permitted in certain locations, along with the trainer, on HPU’s campus that are deemed “places of public accommodation” such as student centers, the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center, HPU libraries, etc.  Service Animals-in-Training are not permitted in places not deemed “public” such as residence halls and academic buildings (i.e., the classroom).

While on campus, the SAiT is required to wear a collar and leash, harness, or cape that identifies the animal as a Service Animal in Training (this is not required of a fully trained Service Animal).  The Service Animal in Training must be accompanied by the person who is training the Service Animal.  Service Animals in Training must not pose a threat to others, must be under the control of the handler, must be housebroken, etc.  The trainer will be responsible for any damage to HPU property caused by the animal.

High Point University is committed to fostering a respectful campus environment by promoting awareness and educating the university community on proper Service Animal etiquette. It is appropriate to offer assistance if you have concerns or notice confusion related to the Service Animal or its behavior. Through outreach and education, HPU strives to ensure that individuals who rely on Service Animals are supported with dignity and understanding. Please review the tips below on appropriately interacting with Service Animals:

• Talk to the person, not the Service Animal.
• Promote dignity and respect by not asking questions about the person’s disability or requesting identification.
• Refrain from touching a Service Animal without asking permission first.
• Refrain from deliberately startling a Service Animal.
• Do not disturb the Service Animal by talking, calling, petting, barking, or offering food to the animal.
• Keep other animals away from Service Animals.
• Do not attempt to separate a Service Animal from the handler. 
• An unattended Service Animal is a sign its owner needs help.

It’s important to follow these general guidelines when interacting with Service Animals. Though their tasks may not be outwardly visible, Service Animals are performing essential, and sometimes lifesaving, tasks for individuals with disabilities.

A Service Animal in Training (SAiT) is defined as an animal being trained to provide a specific service to an individual with a disability. The service(s) the animal is being trained to provide must be directly related to the individual’s disability.

In accordance with North Carolina statute NCGS 168-4.2, an animal in training to become a service animal is permitted in certain locations, along with the trainer, on HPU’s campus that are deemed “places of public accommodation” such as student centers, the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center, HPU libraries, etc.  Service Animals-in-Training are not permitted in places not deemed “public” such as residence halls and academic buildings (i.e., the classroom).

While on campus, the SAiT is required to wear a collar and leash, harness, or cape that identifies the animal as a Service Animal in Training (this is not required of a fully trained Service Animal).  The Service Animal in Training must be accompanied by the person who is training the Service Animal. Service Animals in Training must not pose a threat to others, must be under the control of the handler, must be housebroken, etc. The trainer will be responsible for any damage to HPU property caused by the animal.