Service Animal Policy

Loyola University Maryland is committed to reasonably accommodating individuals with disabilities. Although animals normally are restricted on University property, service animals are not excluded as long as their presence would not fundamentally alter the nature of a University program or activity and they meet these Guidelines. 

A service animal is a dog that has been individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.  In situations where it is not obvious that a dog is a service animal, University employees may ask (1) if the dog is a service animal required because of a disability; and (2) what work or task the dog has been trained to perform.  No additional information may be requested.

Therapy, emotional support, comfort, companion, or assistance animals are not considered service animals. Pleae review the University’s Guidelines regarding Assistance Animals.

Students who plan on bringing their service animal into University housing must provide proof of vaccination to the Disability and Accessibility Services (das@loyola.edu) by February 1st (for returning students) and July 1st (for incoming students). Students should also review the animal licensing requirements for Baltimore City prior to bringing their service animal into campus housing.

Control and Behavior Requirements

A person using a service animal (“handler”) must be in full control of the animal at all times, including taking measures to ensure that the animal does not exhibit disruptive or aggressive behavior or block an aisle or passageway.  If the handler resides on campus, the service animal may be off-leash or off-harness in the handler’s bedroom.

The handler is responsible for caring for and supervising the service animal, which includes toileting, feeding, and grooming and veterinary care. It is the handler’s responsibility to remove and properly dispose of any waste. Service animals must be clean and well groomed, and measures should be taken at all times for flea and odor control.  Service animals must be vaccinated and licensed as required by State law and/or local ordinance.

The handler is solely responsible for any damage to persons or property caused by the animal.

Violations

Violations of these Guidelines will be handled on an individual basis through the DAS office, Student Life and/or the Dean of Students, or Human Resources as applicable.

A service animal may be excluded from the campus when the animal's behavior poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others, including if the animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or if the animal is not housebroken.

Restricted Access

Some areas of the Loyola University Maryland campus such as medical facilities, laboratories, or mechanical rooms may be unsafe for the service animal to be present. If an area is determined to be unsafe for a service animal, reasonable accommodation will be provided to assure that an individual with a disability has equal access to University programs and activities.