Service Animals/Emotional Support Animals (ESA’s)

Note: The EARC recommends students/faculty/staff begin the request /renewal process for a service animal/ESA before moving in or coming on campus to ensure implementation of accommodation.

Definitions:

Service Animal – A service animal is a dog (or miniature horse) that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disabilities. A service animal may also be referred to as a guide dog or a signal dog. Service animals are trained to recognize and respond to a handler's need for specific service. Service animals are allowed on campus grounds, including university housing, classrooms and campus libraries. The service animal must have current vaccinations, be well-groomed, trained, housebroken and under control. Service animals are protected by the ADA.

Emotional Support Animal (ESA) – An ESA is an animal that is not trained to perform specific tasks directly related to an individual's disability but does provide emotional support which alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person's disability. An emotional support animal may also be referred to as an assistance animal, a comfort animal or a therapy animal. An emotional support animal is not restricted by species like a service animal. An emotional support animal must have current vaccinations, be under control and be maintained in a manner that considers the health and hygiene of the animal and those who come in contact with the animal. Dogs and cats, for example, must be housebroken and well-groomed. Emotional support animals must also meet additional requirements as specified in an approval allowing the emotional support animal in university housing. Emotional support animals are not protected by the ADA.

Registration Process for Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal:

  • Complete the EARC ESA Intake Form (to be completed by you)
  • Complete supporting evidence for Service Animal/ ESA accommodation. (to be completed by licensed practitioner)
    • EARC Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Verification Form [pdf] or
    • Letter option:
      • Letters must be submitted on office letterhead from the treating professional's office and must include a wet signature. The letter must include the following information and any other information that will assist the EARC in determining the employee's request:
        1. Brief summary of your professional relationship to the employee, including duration of time providing care.
        2. Verification of disability status through: a. A description of the specific functional limitations experienced as a result of the disability and how these limit one or more major life activities.
        3. How the ESA serves as a mitigating factor in the ongoing treatment or management of the employee's disability, including as related to the use and enjoyment of the employee's campus experience, which includes University Housing.
        4. Identify if the employee is using any measure(s) (e.g., prescriptions, treatment, therapy, etc.) that mitigates the limitation(s) caused by the employee's impairment; if so, do the mitigating measure(s) eliminate the limitation(s).
        5. Based on your diagnosis, how would the ESA alleviate these limitations? In what ways is the ESA part of the employee's treatment plan?
        6. Identify any other accommodation that may be equally effective in allowing the employee to use and enjoy campus experience, which includes University Housing.
        7. Please validate the specific animal (breed, color, sex, name).
  • A veterinary record certifying the animal has all recommended vaccinations required to maintain the animal’s health and to prevent contagious diseases, and copies of applicable city/county animal license(s) should also be submitted

Guidelines for Animal Care and Behavior

  • It is the responsibility of the person with a disability to control the animal.
  • Neither the University nor Housing is responsible for the care or supervision of the animal.
  • The animal must be free of odors and well groomed.
  • Housebroken.
  • Harnessed or leashed, unless these devices interfere with the service animals work or the individuals disability prevents using these devices.
  • The owner and the animal should abide by all Housing and University policies and procedures (such as noise restrictions).
  • The owner is responsible for the animals actions/behavior (injury to others, property damage, etc.).

Removal of a Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal (ESA)

An animal that is determined out of control may be excluded from a University program or facility. This may include, but is not limited to:

  • Vicious behavior (e.g., growling, snarling, biting, attacking)
  • Disruptions (e.g., barking, running around, nipping, bringing attention to itself)
  • Not being housebroken.
  • Not being sufficiently cleaned or groomed (e.g., the animal smells or has fleas/ticks)
  • Not being appropriately restrained.

Reported behavior may be treated on an individual basis with support and input from University Housing, Campus Police, University Personnel, Employment Accommodations Resource Center or other offices. If the animal poses a threat to the safety of others, Campus Police or University Personnel will be part of a collaborative team to determine the consequences and behavior, which may include but are not limited to, required training for the animal and or owner, or exclusion of the animal from University facilities entirely.

FAQs