A Guide to Animals In Our Facilities
We want our hospitals and clinics to be safe and welcoming for everyone. For clarity, consistency, and ADA compliance, Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ of Utah Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ only allows service animals—specially trained dogs or miniature horses—to accompany patients and visitors. Emotional support animals do not have the same access rights to U of U Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ.
What Is a Service Animal?
A service animal is a specially trained dog or miniature horse that helps a person with a disability by doing specific tasks. At U of U Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ, patients or visitors may bring their service animals into our facilities.
What Other Animals May Be In Our Facilities?
Patients may be asked if they would like to have a visit from a facility or therapy dog during their stay. Facility or therapy dogs are specially trained and work alongside their U of U Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ handlers.
We recognize that pets and emotional support animals can provide meaningful companionship and comfort. However, pets are generally not allowed in U of U health. Emotional support animals are not allowed in our facilities unless the provides you with an accomodation ahead of time. For questions or inquiries about our animal policies, you may contact OEO at 801-581-8365 or oeo@utah.edu.
Important Details to Remember
Service animals must always follow these rules:
- Kept under control with a leash, harness, or voice commands
- Must stay with their handlers at all times (staff cannot watch, supervise, or care for them)
- Must be healthy, clean, well-behaved, and potty-trained
- Wear a rabies tag to show they have had their shots
- Not allowed in certain places, such as operating rooms, burn units, or other spaces where strict infection prevention rules are required
- Service animals may be restricted, based on safety, after an individualized assessment of a patient seeking inpatient psychiatric services.
Note: If a service animal is aggressive or causes disruption, their handler will be asked to remove the animal from the premises. Handlers are responsible for cleaning up after their animals.
Thank you for keeping our care spaces safe and respectful for everyone.