• Home
  • /
  • Residence
  • /
  • Service Dog and Emotional Support Animal Procedure
  • /

Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals Procedure

Request Process

All requests for Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals must be submitted to the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA), located in the Gooch building.

After reviewing the health care provider's recommendations and approving the accommodation, OAA will forward the approval to the Student Housing office.

Housing staff members must not collect or retain medical documentation. Students are responsible for submitting all other required documentation.

 

Animals Not Permitted in Housing

Animals will not be permitted in residence halls or apartments if the animal:

  • Has not been approved by the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA)

  • Is prohibited by the City of Corsicana ordinances

  • Has not been approved by Navarro College Housing Department

  • Poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others

  • May cause substantial physical damage to the College property of the College or the property of other residents

  • Creates an undue financial or administrative burden for the College

  • Fundamentally alters the nature of the College's housing operations

 

Standards for Approved Animals

All approved servce dogs or emotional assistance animals must comply with applicable laws regarding animal care and treatment.

Navarro College will approve one animal per resident, unless otherwise directed by OAA,.

 

Service Dogs

Approved service dogs must meet the following requirements:

  • All required immunizations must be current. Documentation (immunization record) must be on file with the Student Housing office. 

  • Dogs must be licensed. A copy of the license must be on file with Student Housing.

  • Dogs must be spayed or neutered. Documentation from a veterinarian must be on file with the Student Housing office.

  • A Certificate of Health signed by a veterinarian must verfiy the dog is healthy and free from contagious diseases and parasites.

  • Must upload a photo of the dog as part of the registration process. The photo will be kept on file by Student Housing for identification and emergency purposes.

  • Dogs must wear collars and identification tags at all times.

  • Dogs must remain on a leash when outside the residene hall or apartment. 

  • Dogs must demonstrate friendly and sociable behavior.

 

Dogs that display threatening or territorial behavior may be restricted by the Housing Director or designee. 

Dogs classified as "Dangerous Dogs" under Texas Health and Safety Code Title 10, Chapter 833, Subchapter A, Sec. 822.041, and "Dangerous Animals" are not permitted. 

Dog obedience and training programs are strongly recommended.

 

Emotional Support Dogs

Emotional support dogs must meet the following requirements:

  • Immunizations must be current, with documentation must be on file with the Student Housing office. 

  • Dogs must be spayed or neutered.

  • A veterinarian-signed Certificate of Health must confirm the dog is free from any infectious diseases and parasites.

    • Must upload a photo of the emotional support dog as part of the registration process. The photo will be kept on file by Student Housing for identification and emergency purposes.

  • Dogs must wear collars and identification tags at all times.

  • Dogs must be on a leash when outside the residence hall or apartment. 

  • Dogs must display friendly and sociable behavior.

 

Dogs that display threatening or territorial behavior may be restricted by the Housing Director or designee. 

 

Domestic Cats (Emotional Support Animals)

Approved emotional support cats must meet the following requirements:

  • Immunizations must be current and documented. 

  • Cats must be spayed or neutered. 

  • A veterinarian must provide a Certificate of Health verifying the cat is free of infectious diseases and parasites.

  • Cats must wear collars and idenficiation tags. 

  • Cats must be kept on a leash or in a appropriate carrier when outside the residence ahll or apartment.

    • Must upload a photo of the cat as part of the registration process. The photo will be kept on file by Student Housing for identification and emergency purposes.

 

Other Animals

Requests for animals not listed above will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Housing Director or designee.

The following animals are not permitted:

  • Animals defined as "Dangerous Wild Animals" under the Texas Health and Safety Code §822.101

  • Big cats, apes, bears, hybrids of these animals

  • Primates

  • High rabies-risk animals such as bats, foxes, raccoons, or coyotes

  • Venomous animals

  • Domestic animals with unknown health histories

    • Must upload a photo of the emotional support animal as part of the registration process. The photo will be kept on file by Student Housing for identification and emergency purposes.

 

Animal Care and Owner Responsibilities

Residents are responsible for maintaining health, sanitation, safety, and behavioral standards.

Animal owners must:

  • Provide daily food, care, and monitoring of the animal's health

  • Ensure the animal is not left unattended overnight.

  • Take the animal with them or arrange off-campus care if they are away. 

 

Emotional Support Animals must remain in the approved residence hall room or apartment and may only leave the area to be walked or relieve themselves.

Emotional Support Animals are not permitted in:

  • Other residence halls or apartments

  • Housing administrative offices

  • Common areas

  • Student living areas

 

Waste Disposal

Animal waste must be handled properly:

  • Animal waste must be handled properly.

    • Waste must be placed in a sealed plastic bag and disposed of in exterior dumpsters.

    • Waste may not be placed in indoor trash receptacles.

    • Waste may not be flushed or disposed of through building sewer systems.

    • Waste must be cleaned up immediately.

    Residents with cats must maintain litter boxes and change litter regularly.

 

Cleanliness and Pest Control

Animal owners must maintain a clean living space.

  • Accidents must be cleaned immediately with appropriate cleaning products.

  • Floors, kennels, cages, and litter boxes must be cleaned regularly.

  • Persistent animal odors are not acceptable.

If fleas or pests are detected, the College’s contracted extermination service must be used at the owner’s expense.

 

Disruptive or Dangerous Behavior

Animals must not disrupt the residential community through behaviors such as:

  • Continuous barking

  • Growling

  • Howling

  • Yowling

Animals that pose a threat or nuisance may be required to be removed within seven (7) days of notification by the Housing Director or designee.

If the Navarro College Police Department determines an animal poses an immediate threat, animal control may be contacted.

Owners may submit a written action plan to address behavioral issues. The plan must be approved by the Housing Director.

Failure to comply with removal directives may result in disciplinary action or cancellation of the housing contract.

Animal owners assume full liability for injuries or damages caused by their animal.

 

Cleaning and Damages

When a resident moves out or no longer has the animal in campus housing, the residence hall room or apartment will be inspected for damage.

Residents are responsible for:

  • Repairing or replacing damaged property

  • Paying for extraordinary cleaning caused by the animal

  • Returning the residence space to its original condition

The Housing Department may conduct inspections to ensure compliance with these standards.

Required Forms for Assistive Animals

After submitting a request to the Office of Accessibiity and Accommodations, students must submit the following documentation to the Navarro College Housing Department:

 

Additional Form