Accessible Learning Center (ALC) Residential Accommodations

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is defined as a dog individually trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability. In limited cases, a miniature horse may also qualify. Other species, whether domestic or wild, trained or untrained, are not considered service animals.

When the service provided by the animal is not obvious, NCF may ask the following:

1. Is the animal a service animal required due to a disability?
2. What specific work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
   

Service animals must perform tasks directly related to the individual’s disability, such as:

• Guiding individuals with visual impairments
• Alerting those who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Assisting during seizures
• Retrieving medications or other items
• Providing physical support for mobility impairments
• Interrupting self-harming behaviors for individuals with psychiatric conditions

Emotional support, companionship, or comfort alone does not qualify as service work. Therapy or companion animals are not recognized as service animals under the ADA.

Service animals are generally allowed in all public areas of campus, including NCF-owned housing, classrooms, and transit vehicles. However, they may be excluded if they pose a direct threat to health or safety.

Registration: Students are encouraged to work with the ALC before bringing a service animal to campus, especially if additional accommodations are needed. Students must notify Housing and Residential Life staff of their service animal and provide the office with a copy of current vaccination records, and can do this by submitting the Residential Accommodations Request Form.

An Emotional Support Animal provides therapeutic benefits to individuals with a diagnosed mental or psychiatric disability. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not allowed in academic or public facilities and are limited to:

• The student’s assigned residence
• Designated outdoor areas.  They are not permitted in classrooms, academic buildings, or other public campus facilities.

Students must register with the ALC office by going to “Registering with the ALC” and include documentation from a licensed medical or mental health provider. If requesting multiple animals, a separate letter is required for each.

The College evaluates ESA requests on a case-by-case basis, balancing individual needs with the impact on the community.

Note: Students must not acquire an animal until their ESA request is fully approved and they have received an eligibility letter from the ALC. Students found in possession of an unauthorized animal in campus housing are subject to a daily fine and removal of the animal.

ESA Provider Form

Care & Supervision:
The individual benefiting from a service animal or emotional support animal (ESA) is responsible for its care, supervision, and associated costs at all times.

Hygiene & Cleanliness:
Animals must be bathed and groomed regularly to prevent odor or pests. Repeated hygiene issues may lead to temporary removal until resolved. Owners must clean up after their animals and use designated toileting areas. If a disability prevents cleanup, students must coordinate with the ALC for a reasonable modification.

Control:
Animals must be under control at all times, preferably with a leash, harness, or carrier. If a student’s disability prevents this, the animal must still be effectively controlled by other means.

Vaccination & Licensing:
All animals must comply with local vaccination and licensing requirements. Dogs, cats, and ferrets in Sarasota County must display rabies tags and be licensed. Annual health documentation from a veterinarian is required for ESAs.

Liability:
Owners are financially responsible for any property damage, injury, or additional cleaning caused by their animal.

Additional Conditions:
The College may establish other reasonable restrictions based on the specific animal and its impact on the campus environment.