Emotional Support Animal Policy and Procedures

According to Fair Housing Act (FHA), an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is, “an animal of any species, the use of which is supported by a qualified physician, psychiatrist or other mental health professional based upon a disability-related need. An ESA does not have to be trained to perform any particular task. ESAs do not qualify as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but they may be permitted as reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities under the Fair Housing Act.”

The student who is requesting the accommodation and has received approval to bring their ESA to campus.

An animal that is permitted in designated areas of residential communities as a reasonable accommodation.

Dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

A domestic or trained animal kept for companionship and pleasure.

Dwellings owned and operated by the University with the express intent to house students. At SVSU, Housing Operations is the department which oversees University housing.

A comprehensive program that facilitates the experience of living "on campus" in a residence hall. At SVSU, Residential Life is the department which oversees this experience.

According to the ADA, a documented disability is, “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability.”

The owner/student must provide the following information to Housing Operations via the submission form in the Housing Portal:

• General animal information (type, breed, name, and photo)
• Emergency Contact Information for someone outside of the University community who can collect the ESA should the owner/student be incapacitated or otherwise not available.
• Proof that a dog has a state or county approved license (if applicable)
  • State law requires that all dogs over four months of age must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed through the county.

A signed letter, on professional letterhead, from the student's health provider must be sent to housing@svsu.edu or faxed to 989-964-6095 stating:

• The nature of the disabling condition or impairment (the student must have a disability);
• The animal is necessary or required to afford the student with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling;
• There is an identifiable relationship or nexus between the disability and the assistance the animal provides;
• The type of animal;
• The first date of contact and last date of contact with the student;
• The license/certification number and state of licensure, address, phone, fax; and
• Signature and date

A signed letter, on professional letterhead, from the student's licensed veterinarian must be sent to housing@svsu.edu or faxed to 989-964-6095 stating:

• The animal's name, breed, and age;
• The date of annual examination (must be recent, within 6 months);
• If the animal has a clean bill of health;
• If the animal is up to date on vaccinations and list them out;
• If the animal is pest free;
• If the animal is spayed or neutered;
• If the animal is house trained (if applicable);
• If the animal is healthy;
• The license/certification number, expiration date, and state of licensure, address, phone, fax; and
• Signature and date

Requests to have an ESA in University housing are considered requests for accommodation and will be reviewed on an individual basis. The process typically takes between 7 to 21 days to approve and process all paperwork depending on the circumstances.

• Owner/student's roommates will be notified of the newly approved ESA assigned to the unit.
• Owner/Student will receive an electronic permit to be printed and displayed in unit. If students needs assistance printing permit they can request a copy from Housing Operations.
• Authorized staff will be notified of the approved ESA.

If you disagree with the determination regarding your Emotional Support Animal accommodation, you may appeal the determination in writing to the ADA Coordinator or their designee within 30 days of this determination. Written appeals must be sent to academicaffairs@svsu.edu. Appeals should address one or more of the following factors used by the University to assess whether an Emotional Support Animal accommodation is reasonable:

(1) That the requested accommodation is necessary, such that there is an identifiable relationship between the requested accommodation and the student’s disability; and

(2) That the documentation provided to the University meets the basic requirements for approval; and

(3) That the accommodation would not impose an undue financial and administrative burden on the University or fundamentally alter the nature of the University’s operations.

The ESA should be housed in the owner/student’s room except when taking the ESA outside to relieve itself or for exercise.

The ESA must always be under the control of the owner/student. 

When the owner/student is not in their dorm room, the ESA must be crated or caged. 

The ESA cannot be left overnight in the care of someone else. If the owner/student intends to be out all night, the ESA must accompany them. An ESA is not a pet to roommates/suitemates.

The owner/student must give contact information for someone outside of the university community who can collect the ESA should the owner/student be incapacitated.

The owner/student is responsible for providing food and care for the ESA.

ESA food should be kept in a closed container within the confines of the owner/student’s room. Open bags of food attract bugs and are not permissible.

University personnel are not responsible for locating any escaped animals or evacuating the ESA in the case of an emergency and are not, under any circumstance, liable for any loss or harm to the animal.

If the ESA becomes sick and vomits or becomes incontinent, the owner/student must clean up the vomit and waste immediately. University personnel is not responsible for cleaning up after the ESA.

Owner/student is responsible for regularly cleaning their room to avoid animal-related odors. The owner/student acknowledges than an animal in a residential space will create more of a mess/scent than it would within a house and are expected to clean their room more frequently including upon request by SVSU. Animal checks may be conducted throughout the academic year in order to ensure proper care of animals.

The ESA should be housebroken or housed in a species-appropriate habitat. Pee pads are not permitted in University housing.

The owner/student is responsible for managing all cleaning and grooming tasks related to the ESA. This includes any fur, waste, litter and bedding. The ESA cannot be bathed or groomed in University Housing facilities. 

If the ESA uses a litter box, the owner/student must place a mat under the litter box to prevent spillage onto university carpeting.

Owners/students are responsible for removing and properly disposing of any of their ESA's waste both indoors and outdoors. All waste must be placed in a plastic bag and be disposed of in an outdoor dumpster.

In accordance with veterinary standards, ESAs are required to be spayed or neutered prior to coming to campus.