Emotional Support Animals

Policies and Procedures

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are animals that provide emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. While ESAs are often used as part of a medical treatment plan as therapy animals, they are not considered Service Animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, they are viewed as a “reasonable accommodation” under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) in those housing communities that have a “no pets” rule. An ESA is not a pet.  

The University of Texas at Tyler (University) is committed to compliance with state and federal laws regarding individuals with disabilities. No disability documentation will be required to bring a fully trained Service Animal into academic buildings on campus. However, for Emotional Support Animals reside in owner’s personal unit in University Housing and are not allowed in any other building on campus. The University requires that supporting documentation be provided by the student’s treating health care provider, which permits the Student Accessibility and Resources (SAR) office to determine the following: 

1. The individual has a disability for which the animal is needed 
2. The animal is necessary to afford the individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a University residence dwelling 
3. The animal is an active part of a treatment plan for the individual; and 
4. There is an identifiable relationship between the disability and the support the animal provides.
    

The qualified provider filling out the required information on the ESA Verification Form must be thoroughly familiar with the student’s condition and functional limitations and must make a direct connection to the requested accommodation based on the student’s current functional limitations. The qualified provider completing this form cannot be a relative of the student, must reside within the student's home state, state of permanent residence or tribal services provider where the student was diagnosed and treated. Internet certificates or any other internet acquired documentation will not be accepted.  

ESAs, Service Animals, and Services Animals in Training are all subject to state laws and local ordinances regarding vaccination, licensure, animal health and leash laws, as well as the University’s rules regarding leash provisions, animal waste cleanup, and community relationships unless a legal exception exists. 

Emotional Support Animals in University Housing

Before an emotional support animal can move into University housing with a student with a disability, a request must be submitted to and approved by the SAR office. Failure to obtain approval before bringing an ESA to campus may result in fines and/or the animal being removed from University housing.

Requirements for approval for an ESA in University housing include:

• Completion of SAR online registration as a student with a disability
• Submission of the ESA Verification Form filled out by the qualified provider 
• Review of ESA request by SAR staff
• Completion of Housing’s required registration of the SAR approved animal through the Housing Portal.  

Note: The ESA approval process may take at least 10 business days from the date a full request (application + supporting documentation) is submitted. Requests submitted two weeks before or after the first day of classes for a semester may take up to 30 business days to process. Not providing the required documentation will result in a delay of approval. 

Emotional Support Animal Documentation Guidelines

Examples of content included on the ESA Verification Form:  

• Student/Patient name
• Signature and licensure information of provider
• Whether the health care professional has a professional relationship with the student involving the provision of health care or disability-related services 
• The type of animal for which the reasonable accommodation is sought (i.e., dog, cat, bird, rabbit, hamster, gerbil, other rodent, fish, turtle, other specified type of domesticated animal) 
• Whether the student has a physical or mental impairment
• Whether the student’s impairment(s) substantially limit at least one major life activity or major bodily function
• How the animal provides support and alleviates a symptom or effect of the student’s disability and is not merely as a pet. 

Permitted Access

Under the FHA, Emotional Support Animals are allowed only in an individual’s residence. They are not allowed to accompany an individual to class, to University residences other than that of the individual using the animal, to any other buildings, or places on campus where a pet is not allowed. 

Excluding an Emotional Support Animal

The University may exclude an Emotional Support Animal from campus if:

• The animal engages in inappropriate behavior and the student does not take effective action to control the behavior; 
• The animal presents as a direct threat to the health or safety of others;
• Its presence imposes an undue burden on the University;
• The animal is not housebroken; for example, it is not trained to control waste elimination (excepting illness or rare accidents), or its cage or crate is not cleaned regularly.
• The animal is left unattended anywhere on campus, including University housing, in contravention of the University’s or the Office of Residence Life’s Animal Policies.
• The animal’s vaccinations are not kept updated.

Should it be deemed necessary to either suspend or remove the ESA from campus, the individual, in accordance with University policy, will be afforded the opportunity to remain in University housing without the use of the ESA.  Alternative reasonable accommodations will be considered by SAR for the individual, as appropriate. 

Should a situation arise in which an individual with an ESA is in proximity to a person with an allergy or phobia of the animal, the person with the allergy or phobia should contact the SAR office to determine whether the condition meets the definition of a disability.  If so, and if the person requests, the SAR office and the Office of Residence Life will work to accommodate both individuals. 

All questions regarding ESAs, service animals, or service animals in training matters involving students may be directed to the SAR office in LI, via phone at 903.566.7079 or via email at saroffice@uttyler.edu. 

Employees, including student employees, applicants, and campus visitors should direct ESA, service animal, or service animal in training questions to the University ADA Coordinator at 903.566.7234 or humanresources@uttyler.edu.

For more information about the Office of Residence Life’s animal policies, please contact housing@uttyler.edu or review Residence Life’s animal policies here.