Emotional Support Animals

What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)? 

Under the Fair Housing Act, a student with a disability may request an emotional support animal (ESA) in university housing as an accommodation if needed to provide the student with an equal opportunity to enjoy and use their residential dwelling. An emotional support animal (also known as a “comfort animal” or “therapy animal”) provides emotional support and comfort to a student with a therapeutic need for the animal. An ESA does not need to be trained to provide a specific task and is not considered a service animal. Because of the therapeutic nature of an ESA, this animal is not considered a pet. An ESA is a housing accommodation and, as such, is to be kept in the student’s residence hall and is not allowed to accompany the student into other campus buildings. 

Qualifying for an ESA 

1) The student must have a documented disability indicating the need for an emotional support animal 

2) The animal is necessary to afford the student with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their residential dwelling 

PLEASE NOTE: An additional animal to support the companionship of an ESA will likely not be approved and certain exotic animals may be excluded from housing accommodation approval.

3) There is an identifiable and documented nexus (connection) between the disability and the assistance support that the animal provides. The connection is clearly indicated by the student’s treating mental health professional in the documentation. 

The documentation must state the impact that the disability has on the student’s ability to live in a University Housing and how the ESA will ameliorate the disability symptoms that are preventing use and enjoyment of their dwelling. An ESA Verification Form is linked below that can be given to the documenting professional. Contact information and licensure details of provider should be included. 

*Caution: Some internet websites sell certificates, registrations, and licensing documents that are typically insufficient to serve as documentation that would “reliably establish that an individual has a disability-related need for an assistance animal” (HUD January 2020), or that the provider has personal knowledge and history of the individual to be able to therapeutically prescribe an ESA as necessary for housing access, use and enjoyment.

Applying for the Housing Accommodation of an ESA 

IMPORTANT: You must have a housing contract with Housing and Residence Life or Capstone Properties PRIOR to requesting housing accommodations.  Please refer to Housing and Residence Life (HRL) for housing deposit requirements and deadlines. 

Step 1: Complete the housing contract process with Housing and Residence Life or Capstone Properties. 

Step 2: Submit an  ADS application  

Step 3: Submit the Request for Emotional Support Animal in University Housing Verification Form 

  • This form must be completed by a mental health provider  
  • The information provided by the student and the mental health provider must:
    • Be recent (within the current year)
    • Document a disability, impact of the disability
    • Establish a direct link between the disability and the need for the ESA 

Step 4: ADS will review your request and provide next steps for approval via email. This will include collecting a photo, rabies vaccine (for dogs and cats), and completing a review of university policies.  

PLEASE NOTE: Your animal is not permitted on campus until you receive a final approval email.  

Requirements for ESA Owners

  • Follow local and state laws related to animal rights and responsibilities.  
  • Provide the University proof of rabies vaccination if applicable.  
  • Contain the animal in your individually assigned room, suite, or apartment except when taking it outside.  
  • When taking the animal outside, keep it under control using a leash, harness, carrier, or other device. Animals found running at large are subject to potential removal.  
  • Clean up after and properly dispose of animal waste.  
  • The university may inspect your living quarters outside of standard room inspections including but not limited to the following situations: 
    • Report of fleas, ticks, or other pests 
    • Complaint regarding animal behavior or cleanliness 
    • Reports of an animal left unattended  
  • Pay for damages (beyond reasonable wear and tear) caused by the animal, including pest treatment.  
  • Not leave the animal unattended for extended periods (including overnight) or in the regular care of someone other than the owner.  
  • Take action to keep the animal reasonably contained when the owner is not present in the room.  
  • Work with roommate(s) to address reasonable concerns about the animal (with the help of HRL staff if needed).  
  • The University reserves the right to assign students with an ESA to a single room without a roommate or to a space where the animal will be welcome.  
  • Emergency personnel make determinations regarding the removal of an animal in an emergency situation. They are not responsible for the care or removal of an animal.   
  • University staff are not required to provide care for any animal, including removing it during an emergency.  
  • The University may order the ban or removal of an animal as provided in the University’s Animals on Campus Policy. This will be processed through the office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices (SARP) as a policy violation. An owner may seek to appeal the decision to ban or remove an ESA by following the procedures identified by SARP.  
  • Notify HRL in the event you no longer require an animal in a residence hall.  
  • Cooperate with reasonable requests of University staff to demonstrate that the ESA is receiving proper care and the owner is complying with these requirements.