Service Animals

Section 16.30 of the Student Handbook provides that no pets, with the exception of service animals (e.g., guide dogs), are permitted on campus.

A service animal is a dog (or in some cases, a miniature horse) that 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 mental disability.

The work or task that the service animal performs must be directly related to the individual's disability. Examples include assisting individuals with low vision and alerting individuals who are hearing impaired. Service animals may also be needed to pull a wheelchair, retrieve items such as medicine or a telephone, recognize and assist during seizures, and prevent or interrupt compulsive or destructive behavior.

Animals whose presence provide emotional support, companionship or comfort (e.g., emotional support animals or assistance animals) but are not individually trained to do work or tasks in response to an individual's disability are not considered service animals.

Where is My Service Animal Allowed?

Service animals are exempt from the Law School’s policy of no animals on campus and are allowed in all places of public accommodation. This includes campus buildings and anywhere on campus they are needed to assist an individual with a disability to participate in educational programs and other campus activities.

Are There Rules About Service Animals?

Service animals must be under effective control at all times and cannot harm or threaten others in the campus community including faculty, staff, students and guests. Consistent with federal and state law, a service animal may be prohibited from university facilities or programs if the animal’s behavior or presence poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. The animal may also be excluded from areas where its presence fundamentally alters the nature of a program or activity, if the animal is disruptive, if its presence would result in substantial physical damage to the property of others, or if it substantially interferes with the reasonable enjoyment of housing or public accommodation by others. Service animals must be housebroken and cleaned up after.

Do I Need to Register My Service Animal?

Students are encouraged to register their service animal with Student Affairs. Once registered, Student Affairs requests that students sign a release of information Loyola Law School Security. Students are also encouraged to provide a picture and name of their service animal, as well as an emergency contact. Student Affairs will share this information with the departments specified on the release of information.

Grievances and Complaints

If a student has a grievance or a complaint regarding a disability accommodation or related matter, it should be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. If the Office of Student Affairs is unable to resolve the matter informally, the student will have the opportunity to present their concerns to the Committee on Disability Issues. If the student is unsatisfied with the resolution of the matter by the Committee on Disability Issues, the student may then bring the matter to the Associate Dean for Faculty. If the Associate Dean is unable to resolve the matter informally, or if the student is dissatisfied with the resolution, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean.

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Where is My Service Animal Allowed?

Are There Rules About Service Animals?

Do I Need to Register My Service Animal?

Grievances and Complaints