Assistance Animals

Assistance Animals (Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals)

As of May 2026, federal guidance from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FEHO) on Assistance Animals (Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals) has been updated.

HUD ESA Enforcement Memorandum

Updated guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) indicates that HUD will defer to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) definition and guidance regarding Service Animals when defining an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). The ADA defines a Service Animal as a dog that is individually trained to perform a specific task for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Accordingly, beginning Fall 2027, Texas Tech University will only permit dogs in the residence halls that are individually trained to perform specific tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Additionally, Assistance Animals must be fully vaccinated and housebroken.

These previous ESA guidelines permitted commonly kept household pets that provided comfort and emotional support through their presence alone. However, under the updated guidance and Texas Tech’s implementation of these compliance requirements, an animal’s presence providing comfort or emotional support alone does not constitute a qualifying task under the ADA definition of a Service Animal. Therefore, for Fall 2027, Texas Tech will be fully compliant with Assistance Animal guidelines, and animals that do not meet these guidelines will not be permitted on campus or in the Residence Halls.

Texas Tech University provides access for service animals and considers requests for emotional support animals and service animals in training in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements. The requirements and approval process depend on the type of animal and where the animal will be used.

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Service Animals

Individuals with disabilities may generally be accompanied by service animals in Texas Tech buildings and facilities where members of the public or participants in university programs, services and activities are permitted.

Students do not need to register a service animal with Student Disability Services to bring the animal into academic buildings.

When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, university employees may ask:

• Is the animal required because of a disability?
• What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

Documentation that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal is not required for general access.

Handler Responsibilities

The university is not responsible for the care or supervision of a service animal. The handler is responsible for:

• Keeping the animal under control.
• Using a harness, leash or other tether unless the handler's disability prevents its use or it interferes with the animal's work.
• Using voice, signal or another effective method of control when a tether cannot be used.
• Complying with applicable vaccination, animal health and other legal requirements.
• Immediately cleaning up and properly disposing of animal waste.
• Any damage caused by the animal.

A service animal may be removed if it is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, if it is not housebroken or when its presence would pose a direct threat or fundamentally alter the nature of a university program or activity.

Service Animals in University Housing

Service animals are permitted in university housing. Students planning to live in university housing with a service animal should complete the housing request process so University Student Housing can collect applicable animal health and vaccination information and coordinate housing arrangements.

Service Animal Housing Request Form

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Service Animals in Training

Texas law permits service animals in training to access public facilities when accompanied by an approved trainer. Students who want to bring a service animal in training into Texas Tech buildings must complete the SDS verification process.

Student Requirements

1. Complete the Service Animals in Training Verification Form. Completing this form does not register the student with SDS for classroom accommodations.
2. Provide certification of training. If the student is an approved trainer, documentation showing certification from an organization whose primary mission is training service animals for people with disabilities must be provided to SDS.
3. Arrange for an approved trainer when required. If the student is not an approved trainer, an approved trainer must accompany the student and animal as required.
4. Meet with SDS. The student must complete the SDS approval process before bringing the service animal in training into campus buildings.

Animal Requirements

A service animal in training must meet Texas Tech requirements for behavior and control. The animal must:

• Be at least one year old.
• Be housebroken.
• Remain under the handler's control.
• Have current required vaccinations.
• Wear required identification, including applicable collar, tags and identification showing the animal is in training.
• Meet the behavioral standards expected of a trained service animal.

Students living in university housing must also complete applicable University Student Housing requirements.

Service Animals in Training Verification Form

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Assistance Animal Forms

Use the form that corresponds with your request:

• Service Animal Housing Request Form
• Service Animals in Training Verification Form

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Questions About Assistance Animals?

If you have questions about service animals, emotional support animals or service animals in training, contact Student Disability Services.

Email Student Disability Services