Animals on campus

The University Health and Safety Policy allows animals on campus only for legitimate reasons, which include all assistance animals as defined under the Equality Act 2010, and clients of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences.

Clients of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences are managed under the procedures of that School, and this guidance note is not directed at them.Assistance animals policy

Assistance animals, as well as therapy and support animals, are covered under the Assistance Animals (Dogs) Policy. This policy defines what is considered an ‘assistance animal’ and clarifies the position of ‘therapy and support animals’.

Assistance animals are generally permitted on campus, under the close supervision and management of their owners, who should ensure they comply with the terms of both this policy and the Assistance Animals (Dogs) Policy.

Therapy and support animals are only permitted onto campus on a case-by case basis, where there is prior written agreement with the University.

At times, areas of the University may wish to bring groups of therapy and support animals onto campus for organised sessions, which must be by prior arrangement and closely managed.In all cases, the following guidance should be followed to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of staff, students, and visitors at the University.

A risk assessment should be completed in advance of the visit, to ensure that any specific risks with bringing an animal, or groups of animals, on campus have been considered, and suitable and sufficient mitigations put in place. Guidance on what to consider in the risk assessment is available in the guidance note.

Animals on campus guidance note