Department of Social Justice

Documentation Criteria for use of A Service Animal

Some WVU Tech or the C&T at WVU Tech students with disabilities require the use of a service animal. In order to use a service animal within University housing and academic settings, and at University functions, all qualified students must provide appropriate documentation of a diagnosed condition and the associated functional limitations that create the substantial need for the use of a service animal. This must be done prior to receiving disability accommodations based upon that disorder. Accommodations will be determined on an individual basis.

It is the student’s responsibility to initiate contact with the Office of Disability Services and to provide appropriate documentation of the disability and related functional limitations for which accommodations are being requested. This process follows the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973*, and current case law and is designed to assure that reasonable, appropriate accommodations are provided to all qualified students in a timely manner. A diagnosis of a disorder/condition/syndrome in and of itself does not automatically qualify an individual for accommodations.

The student must provide appropriate documentation of a diagnosed condition that substantiates the need for the use of a service animal on campus and at University functions. Such documentation must meet the following requirements:

The signed report must be completed by a qualified and licensed health care provider, and must be dated and on the official letterhead of the provider.
The evaluation report must be recent (typically with one year of the request).
The report must include all diagnostic test scores or values that relate to the diagnosis and functional limitations.
The report must indicate how the disability contributes to a significant impairment in functioning for which the accommodation is being provided.
The report must substantiate the need for a service animal.
The student must provide documentation that shows that the service animal is certified to provide the necessary service.

In order to meet the adult criteria of “disability” under federal law a person must provide appropriate documentation of how his or her significant impairment substantially limits his or her functioning within the area for which they are requesting disability-based accommodations. A significant impairment means below-average functioning as measured through an objective evaluation by an individual qualified and licensed within the specialty area of concern.

WVU defines “service animal” as an animal individually trained to perform tasks for the benefit of the individual with a disability. WVU defines a companion animal as an animal that provides emotional support for an individual. WVU does not permit the use of a companion animal as a disability-based accommodation.