Emotional Support Animals
Shepherd University is dedicated to making reasonable accommodations to afford students with disabilities equal access to campus housing. Assistance Animals include both Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals (ESA).
- Any animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability and meets the definition of “service animal” under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Emotional Support Animal is an animal that fosters emotional or other support that provides relief for one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability.
If there are questions concerning these guidelines, you may contact The Office of Accessibility Services or The Office of Residence Life.
Included in Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Guidelines is a checklist on how to obtain an ESA, which includes the following:
Proper documentation for an ESA includes veterinary records. Any ESA on campus must be vaccinated in compliance with West Virginia Laws, and students must provided updated vaccination records to Accessibility Services when appropriate. Owners of an ESA must stay in compliance with laws regarding the treatment of animals as well.
An ESA is not permitted on campus until officially approved by Accessibility Services.
Note: Established Accessibility Services and Residence Life housing procedures and deadlines are still relevant to students who keep assistance animals in their University residence. This includes, but is not limited to the availability of rooms, room assignments, and fees.
