FAQ: Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

• What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
• How can a student request to have an ESA in on-campus housing?
• Is an ESA the same as a Service Animal?
• What is the difference between a Service Animal and an ESA?
• Can I take my ESA to class?
• Can I bring my ESA to campus while waiting for approval from DR?
• Do I need an ESA Certificate to bring my animal on campus?
• What type of documentation do I need?
• How long does it take to receive approval for an ESA?
• What type of animal can be an ESA?
• The ESA Approval Process

What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?

An ESA is an animal that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. For example, an emotional support to an individual that has a mental health disorder.

How can a student request to have an ESA in on-campus housing?

To request to have an ESA in on-campus housing, a student must complete the accommodation request process with Disability Resources (DR). The student must have a recognized disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and show that the request for an ESA is a reasonable accommodation that is directly related to their disability needs.

1. 1. Documentation from a qualified evaluator to whom a student has an established relationship. (An evaluator that the student has only met with once or twice should not complete forms).
   2. Documentation should articulate the need for the ESA based upon the student’s medical and/or mental health condition.

*Documentation must indicate how the ESA alleviates one or more of the identified symptoms or effects of an existing disability.

Is an ESA the same as a Service Animal?

No. While ESAs are often used as part of a medical treatment plan, they are not considered Service Animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, they are viewed as a “reasonable accommodation” under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) in those housing communities that have a “no pets” rule.

What is the difference between a Service Animal and an ESA?

Service animals are defined as dogs (or miniature horses, in limited situations) that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. The work or task a service animal does must be directly related to the person’s disability. Service animals may accompany persons with disabilities into places that the public normally goes.

An ESA generally provides assistance and/or emotional support to persons with disabilities who have a disability-related need for such support. While dogs are the most common type of ESA, other animals can also be ESAs. The animal need not be specifically trained to perform tasks for a person who has a mental health or medical disability. Unlike a service animal, an ESA is not granted access to all places of public accommodation. As noted above, under the FHA, an ESA is viewed as a “reasonable accommodation” in a housing unit.

Additional information can be found on the Service Animal resource page by the Office of Risk, Ethics and Compliance.

Can a student take their ESA to class?

No. ESAs are generally only allowed in the dwelling (housing environment) of students and places that any animal is allowed in public. ESAs are typically not allowed in other campus buildings, including classroom buildings, the MSC and the Library. If you have specific questions about where an ESA is permitted in the housing environment, please consult with housing.

Can I bring my ESA to campus while waiting for approval from DR?

No. ESAs must not be brought into on-campus housing until the accommodation request is approved by Disability Resources and the student has completed the registration process with housing.

Do I need an ESA Certificate to bring my animal on campus?

Disability Resources discourages paying individuals found on websites for certificates or template letters.  Some websites sell certificates, registrations, and licensing documents for assistance animals to anyone who answers certain questions or participates in a short interview and pays a fee. Documentation from the internet is not, by itself, sufficient to reliably establish that an individual has a non-observable disability or disability-related need for an assistance animal.

What type of documentation do I need?

Reasonably supporting information often consists of information from a licensed health care professional – e.g., physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, etc. – general to the condition but specific as to the individual with a disability and the assistance or therapeutic emotional support provided by the animal. A relationship or connection between the disability and the need for the assistance animal must be provided.

How long does it take to receive approval for an ESA?

It may take up to 2-3 weeks for the information to be reviewed and accommodations to be put in place. For more information about the review process or the type of information to submit, please visit our guidelines for documentation.

What type of animal can be an ESA?

ESA types are typically animals commonly kept in households. Examples include but are not limited a dog, cat, small bird, rabbit, hamster, gerbil,  fish, turtle, or other small, domesticated animal that is traditionally kept in the home .

The ESA Approval Process is a 2 Step Process
Approval from both Disability Resources (DR) and Housing is required before an ESA may be brought into on-campus housing.

Step 1: Disability Resources Review & Approval

• • Submit an online New Student Application (Accommodations Request) along with relevant supporting documentation from a qualified healthcare or mental health professional. Online ESA registrations or certificates alone are usually not sufficient supporting documentation.

• • Documentation must:
    • Verify a disability
    • Explain how the ESA helps alleviate symptoms of the disability
    • Be individualized and current

Disability Resources will review the request to determine whether an ESA is a reasonable accommodation. If approved, student will meet with their Access Coordinator and the housing accommodation approval form will be sent to housing office.  Please note that if an ESA request is not approved, DR staff will contact the student to request additional documentation and/or provide rationale.

Important: Approval from Disability Resources does not automatically allow an ESA in campus housing.

Step 2: Housing Approval

After receiving Disability Resources approval, students must complete the Housing ESA process.

The Housing staff (Residence Life for TAMU College Station or Campus Living & Learning staff at TAMU Galveston) will:

• • • Contact the student to schedule an appointment.
    • Review ESA-related policies, rights, and responsibilities.
    • Collect and review required documentation such as vaccination records and county license.
    • Evaluate the student’s current housing assignment to determine whether the space can reasonably accommodate an ESA, including consideration of physical space and roommate/suitemate needs. All residents must agree to the presence of an ESA. If the current housing placement cannot accommodate an ESA, a housing relocation may be required to meet the accommodation need.

An ESA may not be brought into campus housing until housing approval is finalized.

Important Reminders

• ESAs are approved for housing only and are not permitted in classrooms or other campus buildings.
• Animals brought to campus before approval may result in removal and be reported as a student rule violation to Community Standards.
• Students are responsible for the care, behavior, and supervision of their ESA at all times.