Assistance Animal in PSU Housing

PSU's Assistance Animal Policy

Before you bring an assistance animal to campus, you should familiarize yourself with PSU's Assistance Animal Policy so that you understand the difference between a service dog and a support animal, and the rules that pertain to each type of animal.

Service Animal

Your service dog is welcome at PSU, and you do not need to register with the DRC to have a service dog in PSU Campus Housing or anywhere else on campus.

A "service animal" means a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the person's disability. Although it is not required, you may wish to notify Housing and/or your roommate that you have a service dog in advance of moving in so that they know what to expect and so your transition to campus housing is more likely to be smooth.

Note: Miniature horses can also be considered service animals but must go through an approval process with the DRC similar to that of a support animal (see below).

Assistance Animal Policy

Support Animal (SA)

A "support animal (SA)" is an animal that provides emotional or other support that ameliorates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person's disability. Per the Assistance Animal policy, which references "support animal" (singular), not "support animals" (plural), students may request one SA in PSU Campus Housing. Requests for multiple SAs will be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Unlike service animals, a SA is not required to be trained to perform work or tasks. A SA is generally not allowed to accompany persons with disabilities in all public areas of PSU, but a SA may reside with you in University Housing. Before you can bring your SA into campus housing, you need to register with the Disability Resource Center and have the accommodation of a SA in campus housing approved.

Requests for a SA for Fall Term need to be completed before August 31st. Requests that are made and/or completed after August 31st may result in a waiting period of up to ten days before the SA can be brought into your dorm room.

Assistance Animal Policy

Communication With Roommates

Once your accommodation request for a SA is approved by the Disability Resource Center, your roommate will be notified that you are bringing a SA into the room. There may be a waiting period of up to 10 business days before you will be allowed to bring the SA in while we communicate about the change with your roommate. We recommend that you talk with your roommate about your decision to request a SA early on. You do not have to talk about your diagnosis or disability or why you need a SA. You can simply tell your roommate you're in the process of requesting a SA and ask them if they have any concerns.

If your roommate has allergies or concerns about having an animal in the room, they can talk with PSU Housing and Residence Life about their concerns, and PSU Housing and Residence Life will work with them.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING ASSISTANCE ANIMAL ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS

Please keep in mind that per Multnomah County regulations, it is illegal to harbor or own certain exotic animals. Visit the link for more information.

It is also important to note that PSU does not permit live feed for SAs (e.g. mice, cockroaches, crickets, etc.). It will be important to consider this when requesting an SA accommodation.

Please note, University Housing and Residence Life (UHRL) maintains pertinent animal health records including vaccination and county licensing information (when applicable). We also request that you provide information for someone who may be able to take care of your animal if you are unable to do so in an emergency.

Resources

Multnomah County Regulations

If you have questions about the information on this page, please contact the Disability Resource Center.

Email: drc@pdx.edu
Phone: 503-725-4150

Check our home page for our hours and contact information.