Assistive Animals

Assistive animals provide emotional, or other support, that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. Unlike service animals, assistive animals are not required to be trained to perform work or tasks, and they include species other than dogs and miniature horses.

Assistive animals are generally not allowed to accompany persons with disabilities in all public areas of Augusta University. In accordance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations, assistive animals may reside in University Housing, including accompanying such individual in all public or common use areas of University Housing, when it may be necessary to afford the person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy University Housing.

Contact Us

Testing & Disability Services

Summerville Campus

Galloway Hall

706-737-1469

706-729-2298

tds@augusta.edu

Guidelines for Assistive Animals

 Before an assistive animal can move into University Housing with a person with a disability, a request must be submitted to Augusta University’s Department of Testing and Disability Services and approval must be granted (preferably at least 30 days prior to move in).

Please complete the New Client Intake form

Testing and Disability Services will require documentation from the appropriate licensed health care provider to determine:

  • The individual has a physical or mental impairment has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment,
  • The impairment substantially limits at least one major life activity, and
  • The individual needs the specific animal requested because it performs a job or task, provides assistance, or performs at least one task that benefits the person because of his or her disability, or because the animal provides therapeutic emotional support to alleviate a symptom or effect of the disability of the individual.

While assistive animals are generally not allowed indoors on Augusta University’s campus other than in University Housing, people with disabilities may request approval from the Department of Testing and Disability Services to have an assistive animal accompany them to other campus areas. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis consistent with applicable laws.