Emotional Support Animals

• Emotional Support Animal- provides a person with emotional support, calming effects, stability, and other kinds of supports in a housing settings.
• Service Animal– a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.

If there are questions concerning these guidelines, you may contact The Office of Accessibility Services or The Office of Residence Life.

To apply for an Emotional Support Animal, students will need to complete all of the following forms. An ESA is not permitted on campus until officially approved by Accessibility Services. 

• Submit the Accommodation Request Form

  • If you are already registered with Accessibility Services, you will complete a Supplemental Accommodations Request

• Have supporting documentation for your ESA request

• Read and Submit the Emotional Support Animal Owner Agreement

• Submit Veterinarian Information

  • There is a student (owner) portion and a veterinarian portion
  • Please have the veterinarian or owner submit to accessibility@shepherd.edu

• Have your Roommates/Suitemates Read and submit the Emotional Support Animal Roommate Agreement *

  • It is the owner’s responsibility to notify their roommate(s)/suitemate(s) about the ESA and ask them to fill out this form

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.

As stated in the Emotional Support Animal Owner Agreement, Shepherd University may revoke the student’s right to have an ESA on campus if there any violations of the Owner Agreement.

First Violation

• When a report is received that a student has violated the ESA Owner Agreement, the student and the Director of Accessibility Services will meet to discuss reasons for the violation and action steps the student will take to prevent further violations. The Director of Accessibility Services will go through the ESA Owner Agreement with the student and have the student complete a new agreement. The student is given a verbal and written warning that any further violations will result in the ESA accommodation being revoked.

Second Violation

• When a second report is received of the student violating the ESA Owner Agreement, the Director of Accessibility Service will contact the student directly to inform them at the accommodation is revoked. The student will then have 72 hours (3 days) to remove the animal from campus. The student has the right to appeal the decision, however the animal is not permitted on campus during the appeals process. Information on the appeals process can be found on our Complaints and Appeals Procedure webpage.