Students back professor with emotional support dog

A university professor has branded campus bosses “ridiculous” after they banned him from bringing his emotional support dog to work.

Kent Online reported that, for almost two years, Simon Gellar’s trusted German shepherd, Wolf, has been by his side during lectures at the University of Kent in Canterbury.

The 45-year-old, who has a degenerative spine condition, told the website the pet helps calm his anxiety and manage pain, which has worsened since he stopped taking the strong opioid painkiller Tramadol.

But the website added that the criminology lecturer has now been told Wolf poses a “serious” health and safety risk and must be left at home.

Dr Gellar, who lives in Ramsgate, said the issue was only flagged after he arranged a meeting with the university’s occupational health department ahead of the new academic year.

He said: “I was just trying to do everything above board but I wish I hadn’t, as health and safety got involved.

“They don’t seem to really care and were saying that my condition does not really warrant an emotional support animal according to the 2010 Equality Act.

“Wolf has an ID card as an emotional support animal, but the UK does not officially recognise this yet. I already had insurance and all that and I’ve never had any complaints. I asked if we could find some wiggle room but they said no.”

Dr Gellar says it has been “heartwarming” to have the support of students who have started a petition as part of a campaign to overturn the ban. But he added that he has been told he faces disciplinary action, and he has now put in a complaint against the health and safety department to try to reverse the ruling.

The university told Kent Online its “animals on campus policy” allows assistance dogs in non-public areas “provided they are trained by a certified organisation or their owner, and present a reduced risk of harm or threat to other staff, students and campus visitors”.

A spokesman added: “This is to ensure everyone’s safety, with trained assistance dogs expected to be able to perform specific tasks that both support their owner and are respectful of the needs of others in our community.

“Unfortunately, Dr Gellar’s dog does not meet our requirements for being a trained assistance animal. However, we are working with him to find solutions that will continue to support his health and wellbeing at work.”