Emotional Support Animals (ESA)

Tarleton State University recognizes the importance of Service Animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), and of Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), supported by the Fair Housing Act. The university is committed to allowing individuals with disabilities the use of a Service Animal on campus to facilitate their full participation and equal access to the University’s programs and activities. Tarleton State University is also committed to allowing ESAs, necessary to provide individuals with mental health disabilities an equal opportunity to use and enjoy University housing. Following are the specific requirements applicable to an individual’s use of an ESA in University housing; it does not apply to “service animals” as defined by the ADAAA.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)/Fair Housing regulations provide that emotional support animals be considered a reasonable accommodation in campus housing.  Since HUD/Fair Housing regulations only apply to housing facilities, the animals are not allowed in other areas of campus such as but not limited to: all university buildings with exception of residence halls, classrooms, classroom labs, community/shared bathrooms, lounges, dining halls, dining rooms, indoor recreational rooms, computer labs, and study rooms.

Tarleton State University is aware of its responsibility to provide safe living environment to all students who wish to live on campus.  In keeping with this obligation, emotional support animals will be permitted in housing facilities provided that established requirements are met, including determination of the animal as a reasonable accommodation by the Office of Student Accessibility Services and Department of Residence Life.   

Some websites sell ESA certificates, registrations, and licensing documents to anyone who answers certain questions or participates in a short interview and pays a fee.  As of November 2019, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been asked to investigate websites that purport to provide documentation from a health care provider in support of requests for an ESA.  The websites in question offer documentation that is not reliable for purposes of determining whether an individual has a disability or disability-related need for an ESA because the website operators and health care professionals who consult with them lack the personal knowledge that is necessary to make such determinations. In HUD’s experience, such documentation from the internet is not, by itself, sufficient to reliably establish the need for an ESA.  Under the Fair Housing Act, a housing provider may request reliable documentation when an individual requesting a reasonable accommodation has a disability and disability accommodation that are not obvious or otherwise known. Also, please be aware that the Office of Student Accessibility Services and Department of Residence Life neither requires nor recognizes an ESA “license”, “certificate” or “vest” as the basis for establishing the legitimacy of an ESA.

FAQ

What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?

The main purpose of an emotional support animal (ESA) is to provide emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship to their owners.  An ESA must be domesticated, and well-behaved. Their presence is generally limited to residential facilities including their common areas.

Do I have to notify anyone if I bring my ESA on campus?

Yes, if you plan to bring an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) on campus, especially into campus housing or university facilities, you generally must notify the appropriate office and obtain approval first.

Is an ESA considered a service animal?

No. An emotional support animal is not a service animal and not afforded access to all public places. ESAs are afforded protections under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) only. Requests to possess an ESA in a residential facilities including their common areas must be approved by the Departments of Disability Resources and Residence Life. Students must present a letter from a doctor or professional licensed in Texas stating details about the patient’s needs, treatment, and how the animal is a vital part of that treatment. The ESA must also have all their immunizations records from their veterinarian. ESA registration from an outside organization is not recognized.

ESA Request Process

1

Request for Accommodations

Complete the Office of Student Accessibility Services’ Request for Accommodations AIM Application Form Link

2

Discuss ESA Process with Staff

Meet with the Office of Student Accessibility Services staff to discuss ESA process

3

Supply Requested Documents

A. Letter from therapeutic provider

Submit the provider letter to the Office of Student Accessibility Services studentaccessibilityservices@tarleton.edu.

The Animal must be bona fide, and its need must be documented in a letter from a provider. For non-observable disabilities, documentation must be signed, dated, and presented on professional letterhead from a reliable and qualified professional. The letter provided by the therapeutic provider should contain:

  1. Whether the patient has a physical or mental impairment
  2. Whether the patient’s impairment(s) substantially limit at least one major life activity or major bodily function
  3. Whether the patient needs the animal(s) (because it does work, provides assistance, or performs at least one task that benefits the patient because of his or her disability, or because it provides therapeutic support to alleviate a symptom or effect of the disability of the patient, and merely as a pet)
  4. A relationship or connection between the disability and the need for the assistance animal
  5. Whether the health care professional has personal knowledge of the patient and a professional relationship with the patient/client involving the provision of health care or disability related services

B. Animal Health and Public Health/Safety

Submit all Animal Health Information to The Department of Residence Life to Adrianna Rousseau at arousseau@tarleton.edu.

  1. Proof of Vaccinations: Species specific vaccination and vet records to show proof of absence of fleas, ticks, or other parasites
  2. Proof of Ongoing Preventative: Species specific heartworm, flea, and tick preventative
  3. Proof of spay/neuter
  4. Color photo of the animal

Note: The Department of Residence Life will follow up with the animal’s veterinarian to verify the animal does not exhibit aggressive or protective behaviors and if the animal is housebroken.

C. Completion of ESA Documents

Submit ESA Guidelines and Documentation, Animal Owner Responsibilities, Animal Owner Responsibilities in Campus Housing Confirmation of Understanding Form, and Roommate Acknowledgement Form to The Department of Residence Life to Adrianna Rousseau at arousseau@tarleton.edu.

  1. Review of ESA Guidelines and Animal Owner Responsibilities
  2. Animal Owner Responsibilities in Campus Housing Confirmation
  3. Roommate Agreement
  4. Animal Registration Form
4

ESA Committe Review

Once all information from Step 3 has been submitted, the ESA Committee comprised of staff members of the Office of Student Accessibility Services and Department of Residence Life will review ESA applications. The ESA Committee reviews ESA applications on a weekly basis. The ESA application will be approved or declined by the ESA Committee. The student will be notified via TSU email of the ESA Committee’s decision. If an ESA application is declined, the email will include suggestions made by the ESA Committee.