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Animal Accommodations 

An Assistance Animal provides emotional support or alleviates symptoms related to a disability but is not individually trained to perform specific tasks. Assistance animals are approved only for University Housing and are not permitted in other campus buildings. 

Steps for Assistance Animal Accommodations in University Housing

  1. Complete the Housing and Residence Life contract. You must have an accepted Housing and Residence Life (HRL) contract before requesting accommodations. Students must complete the housing contract by the applicable HRL deadline. Please refer to Housing for contract application and submission deadlines.
  2. Complete the "SAR Accommodations Request" online form.
  3. Complete the “Request for Assistance Animal in University Housing” Google Form.
  4. Submit updated veterinary records, including a current rabies vaccination and proof of ownership, by attaching them to your application or emailing them to sar@uwf.edu.
  5. Provide a letter from a qualified medical provider, which must include:
    1. Confirmation of a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
    2. Identification of the impacted major life activities
    3. Description of the disability-related need for an assistance animal
    4. Explanation of how the animal alleviates or reduces symptoms/impacts of the disability
    5. Recommended type of animal
    6. Date of most recent appointment with the provider
    7. Length of time the provider has treated the student for the condition
    8. Whether the condition is permanent or temporary.
    9. Provider’s name, credentials, associated organization, address, signature, and date
      The letter must be on official letterhead
    10. Incomplete documentation may delay the review process. We recommend reviewing your provider’s submission to ensure all required information is included.
  6. After submitting your request, please monitor your UWF student email for updates and any additional instructions from Student Accessibility Resources (SAR).

Priority Deadlines for Housing Accommodation Requests

  • Fall Semester: May 1
  • Spring Semester: November 1
  • Summer Semester: April 1

Note: Your housing accommodation request is not considered complete until you have submitted all required forms and provided all required documentation.  If your request is incomplete or completed after the applicable priority deadline, it will still be reviewed.  However, due to housing availability and room assignment timelines, the University cannot guarantee that accommodation requests received after the priority deadline can be implemented. 

 

Service Animals in University Housing

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a Service Animal is a dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to perform specific work or tasks for a person with a disability. Examples of tasks include guiding individuals who are blind, alerting individuals who are deaf, assisting with mobility or balance, responding to seizures, reminding someone to take medication, or helping mitigate symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

A Service Animal in Training (SAIT) is a dog that is currently being trained to become a service animal. Until training is complete, the animal is considered a service animal in training.

To request a Service Animal or Service Animal in Training in University Housing, please contact Student Accessibility Resources (SAR) at sar@uwf.edu for the appropriate forms and next steps.

Who can request an assistance animal in University Housing?

Students with a documented disability who have a disability-related need for an assistance animal in University Housing may request approval through Student Accessibility Resources (SAR).

Do I have to complete the Housing & Residence Life contract before requesting an assistance animal?

Yes. You must have an accepted Housing & Residence Life contract before requesting an assistance animal through Student Accessibility Resources.

*Please refer to Housing & Residence Life for contract application and submission deadlines, as these are separate from SAR's assistance animal request priority deadlines.

My assistance animal has been approved by SAR. Can I bring it to campus immediately?

No. After SAR approves your request, Housing & Residence Life (HRL) must complete the remaining housing review process before your animal may be brought into University Housing.

As part of this process, HRL may contact your roommate(s) to determine whether there are any disability-related barriers to sharing the space with the approved animal.

You may bring your animal into University Housing only after HRL sends you a final approval email confirming the date the animal may arrive.

What happens if I submit my request after the priority deadline?

SAR will still review your request. However, because housing assignments and room availability may already be finalized, the University cannot guarantee that approved assistance animal requests completed after the priority deadline can be implemented before move-in. 

Where are Service Animals permitted on campus?

UWF generally allows Service Animals in all public places to which the general public is invited when a Service Animal is accompanied by an individual with a disability or a trainer of the Service Animal. Students with a disability may bring Service Animals to classrooms, labs or other academic areas necessary to facilitate their academic program as an academic accommodation without seeking formal approval through Student Accessibility Resources or other registration processes. However, students who utilize Service Animals on campus and anticipate bringing the Service Animal to the classroom or labs are encouraged, but not required to register with the Student Accessibility Resources to work through any potential access or safety issues in the classroom and especially the lab spaces. UWF wants to make sure that the Eligible Person, other students and the members of the department are able to provide that opportunity without endangering the safety of the Eligible Person, other students, or the animal.

For additional information regarding animals on campus, refer to University Policy (P-19.02).

Where are Assistance Animals permitted on campus?

An Assistance Animal must be contained within the privately assigned, student living accommodation (room, suite, or apartment), except to the extent the student is taking the animal out for natural relief. When an Assistance Animal is outside of the student’s private living accommodation, the animal must be either controlled by a leash or harness or contained in an animal carrier. Assistance Animals are not permitted in any University facility, including the commons building, other than the residential building to which the student is assigned. 

For additional information regarding animals on campus, refer to University Policy (P-19.02).

Are there size or breed limitations for assistance animals?

Assistance animals are evaluated on an individualized basis.The University reserves the right to determine if the type or size of an animal is deemed as a reasonable accommodation and not a health or safety threat. 

For additional information regarding animals on campus, refer to University Policy (P-19.02).

Can I have a Service Animal in Training in University Housing?

A Service Animal in Training (SAIT) may be permitted in University Housing through the appropriate request process. An SAIT is generally limited to one semester in University Housing while the student completes training. An SAIT may only be brought into University Housing by the student with the disability who is training the animal.