Frequently Asked Questions

The Guidelines for Service and Assistance Animals on Clemson University owned or managed properties serve as a comprehensive guide for implementing the University’s policy.

The Service Animal Policy at Clemson University exists to preserve the rights of handlers and to promote the safety of all animals on Clemson campus.

The Americans with Disabilities Act states that all businesses and organizations make “reasonable accommodations” for individuals with certified Service Animals. 

A Service Animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with an ADA covered disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

A Service Animal in Training is any dog being trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with an ADA disability. Service Animals in Training are also required to wear an indicating vest and an indicating dog tag at all times while on Clemson campus. Indicating dog tags must be the designated color for the semester that the animal is approved for.

No. An Emotional Support Animal is any animal that provides emotional support to individuals with a mental or psychiatric disability. Emotional Support Animals are recognized by the Fair Housing Act and are allowed for individuals residing in Clemson housing if approved by the Student Accessibility Services.

 Emotional Support Animals are not allowed to enter university buildings and must remain in the campus housing or the immediate surrounding area. The Student Accessibility Services site has more information on these guidelines.

The only pets permitted in University Housing are fish. Aquariums for the fish are limited to a ten-gallon capacity tank or smaller.

Those violating this provision will be required to remove the pet, pay for any damages including any charges for extermination and may face disciplinary action. Additional charges for any required cleaning and/or pest extermination related to a pet violation will be charged to the resident(s).

Students with Service Animals are encouraged to register with Student Accessibility Services, however it is not required. Employees with Service Animals are required to register their animal with the ADA Coordinator in The Office of Access and Equity.

Students and employees with Service Animals in Training are required to be registered. All Service Animals in Training must be registered here:

Service Animals In Training Registration Form.

Students with Emotional Support Animals must request approval through Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Employees with an Emotional Support Animal must request approval by contacting the ADA Coordinator in the Office of Access and Equity (OAE).

Students with Service Animals are not required to be registered although it is encouraged. Students with Service Animals in Training must be registered each semester and the dog must wear an indicating dog tag while on Clemson campus. Employees with Service Animals in Training must be registered each year and the dog must wear an indicating dog tag while on Clemson campus. Indicating dog tags must be the designated color for the semester that the animal is approved for.

Service Animals are encouraged to wear vests to clarify the animals’ purpose for being on campus. Service Animals in Training are required to wear an indicating vest at all times while on Clemson property.

The care, management, and supervision of animals is the sole responsibility of the student, employee, or visitor handler. Care, management, and supervision include, but are not limited to, toileting, feeding, grooming, veterinary care, and management of animal behavior.

Federal law states that these two questions may be asked to Handlers:

1. Is the dog a Service Animal required because of a disability?
2. What disability-related work or task(s) has the animal been trained to perform?

Do not touch, feed, talk to, interfere with, or interact with a Service Animal, Service Animal in Training, or ESA unless you have the handler’s explicit permission to do so. Do not ask questions about the individual's disability or need for a service or support animal.

Handlers should ensure that the Service Animal or Service Animal in Training is effectively controlled at all times. The handler is responsible for ensuring that the animal does not do the following:

• Interfere with or impede the work of other service animals or service animals in training.
• Pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
• Disrupt a work, classroom, or other educational setting.
• Sniff individuals, tables at which individuals are consuming food items, or the personal belongings of others.
• Display behaviors or noises that are disruptive to others unless part of the service being provided to the handler.
• Display aggressive behavior toward persons or other animals.
• Block an aisle or passageway.
• Eat food in the dining halls or restaurants on Clemson University property.
• Bark, unless that is the service to be performed by the animal.
• Sit or lay on Clemson University furniture.
• Students may be subject to a student Code of Conduct violation if they do not maintain control of their animal at all times.

All dogs must be at least six months of age and be responsive to obedience commands. Handlers of Service Animals are not required to submit official training documentation. Handlers of Service Animals in Training must provide Proof of Canine Good Citizens Advanced Certification (or equal training) before they can be approved.

This certification is offered through the American Kennel Club.

No. All animals mentioned are restricted from entering certain areas due to health and safety concerns. These areas include food preparation areas, science, engineering and animal laboratories, University farms, Mechanical rooms, custodial closets, wood, metal and machine shops, and classrooms or other areas with research or demonstration animals.

Access to restricted areas may be authorized by the ADA Coordinator in consultation with the instructor or facility manager on a case-by-case basis. See more information on the Access and Equity website.

Handlers of Service Animals are highly encouraged to inform instructors that they will bring a Service Animal before classes begin. Handlers of Service Animals in Training are required to inform instructors of the animal’s presence before classes begin.

Complaints against a Clemson student can be submitted through the Office of Community and Ethical Standards incident report portal.

Complaints against a Clemson employee can be submitted through the Office of Access and Equity Incident Report portal.

Complaints against a visitor may be reported to the Clemson University Police Department.

University personnel should attempt to resolve the issue with the handler first. If the issue persists, they may wish to file an incident report through the Office of Community and Ethical Standards.

Instructors have the right to direct the student to remove a Service Animal or Service Animal in Training from a classroom or other educational environment if the student is not controlling the animal and/or it is disruptive to the class or other educational activities.