The University of Reading is committed to supporting all students and recognises that some students will need to bring an assistance dog onto campus to assist in accessibility. This policy is designed to set out guidance to provide clarity for students and the University with regard to this.
The University of Reading will expect that requests will usually be made from students with regard to assistance animals from a recognised organisation as outlined below. In exceptional circumstances and when there is clear medical evidence, consideration will be given to requests by students to bring therapy animals to University.
This policy does not cover the use of animals for activities such as performances or petting zoos, as separate licencing arrangements must be put in place.
Key Definitions
Assistance animal
An assistance animal is an animal, usually a dog, which has been professionally trained to perform tasks for a disabled person. It will be registered with Assistance Dogs UK. ADUK cover the following organisations:
- Canine Partners
- Assistance in Disability Dog AID
- Guide Dogs
- Dogs for Good
- Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
- Medical Detection Dogs
- Support Dogs
- The Seeing Dogs Alliance
- Autism Dogs Charity
- Service Dogs UK
- Veterans with Dogs
Assistance Dogs UK is a voluntary coalition of accredited assistance dog charities.
All ADUK member charities have passed an accreditation process that covers their training of animals and administration.
Therapy Animal
A therapy animal or emotional support animal is an animal that provides emotional support to help alleviate identified symptoms or effects of disability. A therapy animal does not necessarily aid with mobility and does not assist with practical daily tasks.
Pets
A pet is a domesticated animal that provides companionship but is not considered an assistance or therapy animal. The University of Reading does not allow students to keep pets in university accommodation.
Process for assistance animals
Students who wish to bring an assistance dog on campus must:
- be registered with the Disability Advisory Service
- provide details on the dog’s registration with ADUK and provide evidence that dog and owner have completed training
- complete the animal application form and if approved;
- complete the conduct agreement
- provide evidence of public liability insurance
- inform the accommodation office at acmo@reading.ac.uk if living in halls of residence
DAS will include this information on the student’s Individual Learning Plan. It is required that if an assistance animal has been organised through one of the ADUK organisations that a representative from the organisation will make contact with the Disability Advisory Service to discuss practical details including arrangements for Halls.
Process for therapy animals (animals that are not registered under ADUK)
Students who wish to bring a therapy animal on campus must:
- be registered with the Disability Advisory Service
- provide appropriate medical evidence to support the request to have a therapy animal on campus, which should include information about the support the animal will provide and where it may need to go on campus
- complete the animal application form and if approved;
- complete the conduct agreement
- inform the accommodation office at acmo@reading.ac.uk if living in halls of residence
- arrange public liability insurance (through pet insurance) and provide a copy of the policy to DAS
DAS will include this information on the student’s Individual Learning Plan. Consideration will then be given as to whether the adjustment of bringing a therapy dog or other animal onto campus and into Halls is reasonable or if the student can be supported effectively through other services. Consideration will also be given as to the possible impact of the request on other members of the University community such as significant disruption to services and allergies, as well as the welfare requirements of the animal.
The Disability Advisory Service will make a decision on the request. If the student is unhappy with the decision, a review can be requested by writing to the Director of Student Wellbeing Services. If there is still a disagreement then the student will be entitled to follow the student complaints procedure.
Students are responsible for the behaviour of their assistance or therapy animal. The University reserves the right to exclude an animal from a facility or, in extreme circumstances, from the campus, if the animal poses a threat to the health and safety of other people and to revoke permission if conduct agreement is breached.
In the event of a complaint against the assistance animal, the student should raise this with DAS.
Note for staff and students:
It is important to note that assistance dogs are working animals and are not pets. Please be mindful of the following advice:
- talk to the owner, not the animal;
- do not feed, pet or distract the dog;
- do not try to separate an assistance dog from the owner.
Please note that seizure alert dogs are trained to behave differently when they detect a potential seizure and they can appear to be misbehaving.