The University of North Alabama is committed to supporting students with disabilities by allowing Assistance Animals (AAs) when an Assistance Animal is necessary for them to be able to use and enjoy their residential living space. The Assistance Animal Policy applies to all students and explains the specific steps necessary to request an assistance animal at UNA. 

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a person with a disability as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The three factors influencing a determination of substantial limitation are 1) the nature and severity of the impairment, 2) the duration or expected duration of the impairment, and 3) whether the impairment is characterized as permanent or long-term. An Assistance Animal is defined as an animal that is necessary to afford the student with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy UNA-owned housing, and provides emotional or other support that ameliorates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. Unlike service animals, support animals are not required to be trained to perform work or tasks.

A treating healthcare provider must complete and submit this Verification Form to Housing & Residence Life. The treating health care provider completing the form must specialize in a field consistent with the diagnosis, as well as be familiar with the student’s disability and the necessity for the requested Assistance Animal. To avoid any conflict of interest, documentation must be provided by a non-family healthcare provider. Documentation must also show that the requested AA is necessary for them to use and enjoy their residential living space; in addition, there must be an identifiable relationship, or nexus, between the requested AA and their disability. Please see the Assistance Animal Policy for additional information. 

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