University of Nebraska-Kearney officials have reached a 140-Thousand dollar settlement with the Department of Justice in a dispute over a service dog in the dorm.
And, for the first time, a federal judge has ruled colleges must comply with the federal Fair Housing Act.
UNK spokeswoman Kelly Bartling says a student filed a lawsuit against the school in 2011 when UNK ruled she couldn’t keep a dog in her university apartment to help her cope with depression and anxiety. . .

 

Bartling says the settlement avoids a costly trial and allows UNK to develop its assistance animal policy. . .

In the original dispute, Brittany Hamilton argued that she needed the dog to help her cope with an anxiety disorder.
Federal Judge John Gerrard with the 8th District Court in Lincoln ruled the Fair Housing Act applies to colleges and universities.