Emotional Support Animals (ESA)
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 need for the animal by the Office of Student Accessibility Services and Department of Residence Life. The animal is 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.
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. Requests to possess an ESA in a residential facilities including their common areas must be approved by the Office of Student Accessibility Services and Residence Life. Students must present a letter from a qualified 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
Request for Accommodations
Complete the Office of Student Accessibility Services’ Request for Accommodations AIM Application Form Link
Discuss ESA Process with Staff
Meet with the Office of Student Accessibility Services staff to discuss ESA process
Submit the following Required Documentation
Submit the provider letter to the Office of Student Accessibility Services studentaccessibilityservices@tarleton.edu
A. Letter from a Licensed Therapeutic Provider (Letter must be no older than one year, written on professional letterhead, dated, and signed by the provider)
- The need for the animal must be documented in a letter from a provider. For non-observable disability, documentation must be signed, dated, and presented on professional letterhead from a reliable and qualified professional. The letter provided by the therapeutic provider must contain:
- Whether the patient has a physical or mental impairment
- Whether the patient’s impairment(s) substantially limit at least one major life activity or major bodily function
- 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 not merely as a pet)
- A relationship or connection between the disability and the need for the animal
- 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
Documentation obtained solely through an online service that provides emotional support animal documentation for a fee may not be considered a reliable source of information for purposes of evaluating the need for an emotional support animal as an accommodation. The university reserves the right to request additional documentation from a qualified treating provider who has personal knowledge of the student’s condition and related accommodation needs.
B. Animal Health Information
Submit all Animal Health Information to The Department of Residence Life to Adrianna Rousseau at AROUSSEAU@tarleton.edu
- Proof of Vaccinations: Species specific vaccination and vet records to show proof of absence of fleas, ticks, or other parasites
- Proof of Vet Prescribed Ongoing and Continuous Preventative: Species specific heartworm, flea, and tick preventative
- Proof of spay/neuter
- Color photo of the animal
The Department of Residence Life will follow up with the animal’s veterinarian to verify that the animal does not exhibit aggressive or protective behaviors, is housebroken, and has reached an appropriate level of developmental maturity to reside in a campus housing environment.
C. Completion of Emotional Support Animal Documents
Submit Emotional Support Animal 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.
- ESA Guidelines and Animal Owner Responsibilities
- Animal Owner Responsibilities in Campus Housing Confirmation
- Roommate Agreement
- Animal Registration Form
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.
Submission of an emotional support animal application, provider documentation, animal health records, and supporting materials does not guarantee a specific review timeline by the Emotional Support Animal Committee or completion of the review process within a particular timeframe. Additionally, submission of these materials does not guarantee approval of the emotional support animal accommodation request.