Service Animals

The University has an Animals on Campus Protocol that is a policy for how we manage service animals. Students who wish to bring a service animal into the University's facilities must register with SAS by completing a SAS Service Animal Application Form and providing supporting documentation (note: there is a separate application form and documentation requirements for students requesting academic accommodations). We have also put together some general information about the behavioural expectations of service animals on campus.

Definition of a Service Animal 

Based on the University of Guelph’s Animals on Campus Protocol, a service animal is defined as any animal trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. An animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if:  

  1. The animal can be readily identified as one that is being used by the person for reasons relating to the person’s disability, as a result of visual indicators such as a vest or harness worn by the animal; or 
  2. The person provides documentation from one of the following regulated health professionals confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability: 
    • A member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario. 
    • A member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario. 
    • A member of the College of Nurses of Ontario. 
    • A member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. 
    • A member of the College of Optometrists of Ontario. 
    • A member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. 
    • A member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. 
    • A member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario. 
    • A member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario. 

(Integrated Accessibility Standards, 2016)

Service Animals in Residence 

Students wishing to have a service animal in residence must review the Student Housing Accessibility Request webpage and indicate in the housing application process that they are requesting to use a service animal in residence (applications can be amended after submission to indicate this if needed) 

Steps to Request a Service Animal in Residence: 

  1. Review the Student Housing Accessibility Request webpage.
  2. To Student Housing: Submit the housing application form through the Housing Portal and indicate that you are requesting a service animal in residence.
  3. To Student Accessibility Services (SAS): Submit a SAS Service Animal Application Form and providing supporting documentation for a service animal.
  4. Pay residence deposit.

Deadline: Visit the Housing Important Deadlines page for more information  

Unfortunately, accommodation requests made after the deadline will not be given priority consideration. Student Housing is not able to guarantee that all requests will be accommodated, completing an application for a service animal does not guarantee a spot in residence.