His name is Auggie.
Along his soft, white fur, Auggie carries patches of chocolate brown that match his intelligent eyes. More than a source of love and comfort, this dog is trained to serve.
“Auggie has brought so much to my life,” said Franny Cipriano, a sophomore from Plainfield. “He gives me the independence to do the things I love.”
Cipriano lives with a neurological disorder and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. These conditions can cause motor function issues along with a danger of passing out. When she was looking to go to college, Cipriano knew a medical assistance and mobility service dog could assist her. She committed to attend Illinois State as a special education major for Deaf and hard of hearing students. Cipriano also found the registered student organization Indy-pendence Service Dogs, which matched her with Auggie.
“Auggie has given me the ability to be at school full time,” said Cipriano. “I can consistently attend school knowing that he is giving me support.”
Auggie went through two years of training with Indy-pendence before finding a home with Cipriano. He trained with Emma Burling, a senior nursing student from St. Anne, and president of the Indy-pendence Service Dog at Illinois State.
Burling has been working with the Indy-pendence RSO since her first year on campus. Having their parent organization, PGI, working with Illinois State and Bradley University means service dogs matched with college students.
“They are exposed to the many sights and environments that a college campus can provide, so often the dogs are well prepared to adjust and be matched with a college student if it is deemed that a service dog would benefit them in their daily life,” said Burling, adding that PGI has done quite a few matches for students in the past.
During his training, Auggie was registered as a service-in-training dog through Student Access and Accommodation Services (SAAS). “The handlers and dogs they train have been incredible to work with,” said Sarah Schafer of SAAS.
When to register an animal with the University
Animals are generally not permitted in University buildings, though there are exceptions.
Service animals
Illinois State uses the definition outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for “service animal,” which includes any dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability and/or medical/mental health condition. Service animals are working animals, not pets.
Those who own service animals are not required to register them with the University, unless they in living in University Housing. Student Access and Accommodation Services does provide a voluntary registration process. “Having a service animal on the voluntary registration could assist the University if any problems arise an owner needs assistance with or an emergency situation occurs,” said Schafer.
Read the policy on service animals
Assistance animals
Illinois State follows the Fair Housing Act guidance for assistance animals. Other names for an assistance animal may include comfort animal, therapy animal, and/or emotional assistance animal.
Assistance animals must be registered if they are living in the residence halls. Students residing in University Housing with an assistance animal must make a Request for Housing/Dining Service and provide appropriate documentation.
Read the policy on assistance animals
Service-in-training animals
Any student requesting to be recognized as a trainer/puppy raiser of a service dog on the Illinois State University campus is required to complete a request to be identified as a trainer of a service dog through Student Access and Accommodation Services.
