Some common conditions that emotional support animals are used for are: The licensed professional must determine that you have a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activities and that an emotional support animal would alleviate symptoms of that impairment. Under Fair Housing rules, the only way to qualify for an emotional support animal is to have a recommendation letter from a licensed health care professional, such as a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, doctor, social worker or nurse. How do I qualify for an emotional support animal? If you’re serious about bringing an ESA to school, it’s worth checking with your university to see what their specific guidelines are. Some universities may have their own policies regarding emotional support animals and where exactly they are allowed.
Emotional support animals however do not have that right automatically, at least not under federal law. Service dogs are governed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) whereas emotional support animals are governed by the Fair Housing Act and Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).Ī student with a service dog would be allowed to bring their animal to class and other areas of the campus such as the cafeteria and library. They are not the same as service dogs, which are trained to perform tasks for the disabled. Am I allowed to bring an emotional support animal to class?Įmotional support animals generally only have the legal right to be accommodated in housing and on airplanes. Another university was involved in a $100,000 lawsuit involving a couple living in university housing who were denied accommodation for an emotional support dog.įair Housing rules and case law affirm that students in universities have rights as emotional support animal owners, just as they would if they were living in non-university housing. One university settled for $140,000 in a lawsuit filed by a student who requested to keep a miniature pinscher in her apartment for her chronic anxiety but was denied. In recent years, there have also been a number of lawsuits where courts have found in favor of students who were at odds with their school over whether their ESA could live with them.
Department of Housing has made it clear that university housing is subject to the same ESA rules that apply to other types of homes and apartments. These rules apply to most types of housing and universities are not exempt. Under federal Fair Housing rules, tenants have a right to be accompanied by an emotional support animal in their homes, even in buildings that prohibit pets. Am I allowed to have an emotional support animal in my dorm? We will also examine whether students have a right to bring an ESA on campus, and how they can properly qualify to become an emotional support animal owner. We will explore the rules surrounding emotional support animals on college campuses.
In addition to the rise in the number of emotional support animals accompanying students in dorms, many schools are using therapy animals to help calm anxious students during stressful periods like exam week. In recent years, seeing an animal on campus has generally become more commonplace. Some students in an effort to improve their mental and emotional health have turned to emotional support animals (ESAs). The mental health of students on college campuses is a serious issue – according to some sources, suicides are the second most common cause of death among college students, and the suicide rate has tripled among young adults since the 1950s. In addition to the loss of human friends and family, some students have to leave behind a lovable furry companion they’ve had for years. For many students, college may also be the first time away from their home support network of family and friends. Adjusting to a new social environment, meeting the expectations of professors and keeping up a grade-point average can take its toll on students.
Emotional Support Animals in College DormsĬollege can be a difficult time for many young adults.
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