Rule 3337-44-120 | Animals.
The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at
https://www.ohio.edu/policy/44-120.html
(A) Purpose
This policy describes the limitations relative to animals and animal pets in Ohio university-owned buildings, outside areas, and vehicles.
(B) Scope
This policy applies to all university employees, students, alumni, visitors, volunteers, and individuals who perform work for the university.
(C) 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 task(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.
(D) 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.
(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 housing 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 and 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.
The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at
HTTP://WWW.ohio.edu/policy/44-120.html
Last updated April 1, 2025 at 8:05 AM
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