Position statement on Assistance Dogs and Therapy Animals/Emotional Support Animals (Students)

Assistance Dogs

The Equality Act 2010 (the Act) sets out when someone is disabled and therefore protected from disability-related discrimination. Assistance Dogs are specially trained to carry out specific duties for a disabled person (as defined by the Act). These animals are covered under the legislation and are legally permitted to always accompany their owner, partner or handler in all places (Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2017).

The Equality Act 2010, s173, defines Assistance Dogs as:

  • A dog trained to guide a blind person.
  • A dog trained to assist a deaf person.
  • A dog trained by a prescribed charity to assist a disabled person who has a disability that consists of epilepsy or otherwise affecting the person鈥檚 mobility, manual dexterity, physical co-ordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects.
  • A dog of a prescribed category which has been trained to assist a person who has a disability (other than mentioned above) of a prescribed kind.

This means dogs which have been highly trained. Some may be registered with one of the Member Organisations listed by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK).

Currently the following organisations are registered full members of ADUK:

  • Canine Partners
  • Dog A.I.D
  • Dogs for Good
  • Guide Dogs
  • Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
  • Medical Detection Dogs
  • Support Dogs
  • The Seeing Dogs Alliance
  • Autism Dogs
  • Darwin Dogs
  • Dogs for Autism
  • Service Dogs UK
  • Veterans with Dogs
  • Bravehounds

(Assistance Dogs UK, 2025)

Organisations and individuals outside of ADUK also train assistance dogs, which is a fully legal route. All assistance dogs are welcome as long as they meet acceptable standards, ensuring the safety of both the owner and the public. Some owner-trainers may choose to accredit their assistance dog through the Assistance Dog Assessment Association (ADAA), although this is not legally required.

Whilst the legislation does not define 鈥榓 dog of prescribed category鈥�, the Equality and Human Rights Commission states that: 鈥楢ssistance Dogs are not pets and are treated as 鈥榓uxiliary aids鈥� under the Act. Assistance dogs are highly trained which means they will not wander freely around the premises, will sit or lie quietly on the floor next to their owner and are unlikely to foul in a public place (Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2017).

Therapy Animals and Emotional Support Animals

There is a growing upsurge in the engagement of 鈥榯herapy animals鈥� or 鈥榚motional support animals鈥� for people with a range of difficulties including mental health issues and autism. However, these animals are not specifically trained to carry out any particular task, but rather their role is to be a source of comfort or support. Whilst this is different to a pet, there is no legal status for these animals currently in the UK. Whilst there is some evidence that animal assisted interventions can be helpful, there is a consensus that this evidence lacks scientific strength at present (Audrestch et al, 2015; Kazdin, 2017; O鈥橦aire, 2013; O鈥橦aire et al, 2015; Serpell et al, 2017).

吃瓜群众鈥檚 Position

吃瓜群众鈥檚 stance on this situation, therefore, is that only trained Assistance Dogs accompanying a student to University will be allowed into University buildings and facilities, including Halls of Residences, in compliance with the law.

The University expects owners to be able to demonstrate that their Assistance Dog has been highly trained and meets the criteria currently laid out by the Equality Act and contained within the Equality and Human Rights Commissions guidance (2017).

The University expects owners to ensure their Assistance Dog is highly trained and meets the University鈥檚 expectations (see below).

If relevant paperwork can be provided, these cases will be considered on an individual basis. The owner will be expected to complete a Conduct Agreement form. Preventing and rectifying the misbehaviour of an Assistance Dog is the owner鈥檚 responsibility.

Other animals are currently not covered under legislation and will not be permitted to join students in any University building or facility or be housed in University accommodation. Whilst being with, and caring for, animals can be therapeutic, we do not advocate emotional dependence on an animal as an appropriate means of accessing the learning environment. We encourage prospective students and current students to liaise with our Mental Health Advisers on alternative strategies.

吃瓜群众 expects your assistance dog to:

  • be trained to behave well in public
  • have safe and reliable temperaments
  • be healthy and do not constitute a hygiene risk
  • be fully toilet-trained
  • be covered by public liability insurance
  • be on a lead at all times

Further details about the university鈥檚 expectations are outlined on the Conduct Agreement form.

There are some behaviours that you would not expect to see from a highly trained assistance dog such as:

  • dogs that have not been trained to behave well in public e.g. barking, lunging, or jumping up (unless displaying an alerting behaviour)
  • pulling strongly on a lead
  • dogs with aggressive or very fearful temperaments e.g. cowering or growling
  • poorly cared for dogs that constitute a hygiene risk
  • dogs that are not toilet trained

Monitoring and Review of Policy

We will keep this Policy under review and amend in line with legislation and government guidance.

References

Assistance Dogs UK (2018)

Audrestch, H., Whelan, C., Grice, D., Asher, L., England, G., & Freeman, S. (2015). Recognizing the value of assistance dogs in society. Disability and Health Journal, 8(4), 469-474.

Bennett O & Desai P (2016) , Briefing Paper to the House of Commons, Number CBP 7668, 27 July 2016.

Equality and Human Rights Commission (2017). .

Kazdin, A. E. (2017). Strategies to improve the evidence base of animal鈥恆ssisted interventions. Applied Developmental Science, 21, 150鈥�164.

O'Haire, M. E. (2013). Animal鈥恆ssisted intervention for autism spectrum disorder: A systematic literature review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43, 1606鈥�1622.

O'Haire, M.E., Gu茅rin, N. A,. & Kirkham, A. C. (2015). Animal-Assisted Intervention for trauma: A systematic literature review. Frontiers in Psychology, 6

Serpell, J., McCune, S., Gee, N., & ,Griffin, J. A., (2017). Current challenges to research on animal鈥恆ssisted interventions. Applied Developmental Science, 21(3), 223鈥�233.

Version 3, Revised April 2025 EG