Emotional Support Animals

Application Requirements

Students requesting an ESA should submit an Emotional Support Animal Request Form, which can be obtained by contacting SAS. The steps are as follows:

1. Fill out the ESA Request Form.
   • Please note: Only fill out the student section. 
2. Sign the student portion of the health professional’s section before submitting it to your prescribing health professional for completion.
   • The prescribing professional should be a qualified, licensed health professional
3. Submit the completed ESA request form to SAS along with current vaccination records of the animal (if applicable).
   • A complete form will have both student and health professional sections filled out.

Application Deadline

Students applying for an ESA accommodation should begin the process no less than 45 days prior to moving into college housing. SAS will consider requests for reasonable accommodations in college housing at any time; however, if an ESA request is submitted less than 45 days before the start of the academic term, SAS cannot guarantee a determination will be made before the student’s move-in date. 

Approved ESA

• If approved, you will need to sign an addendum to your housing agreement that will be sent to you by Housing & Residential Life before moving your ESA on campus.
• If approved, information about the student's name, ID number, room, animal type/breed/name will be communicated to the offices of Residential Life, Campus Safety, and Facilities.  No information about the student’s disability will be communicated without the student's written permission.
• Students must communicate their intention to have ESA on campus at the beginning of each school year. In addition, some disabilities may require updated documentation from a health professional each year.

In determining whether to approve an ESA for residence on campus, the College will consider the following:

• If the space needed for the cage/crate in which the animal will be housed is too large for available assigned housing space;
• If the animal's presence would force another individual from individual housing (e.g., serious allergies);
• If the animal's presence otherwise violates individuals' right to peace and quiet enjoyment;
• If the animal is not housebroken or is unable to live with others in a reasonable manner;
• If the animal poses health risks from zoonotic diseases or safety concerns regarding containment that cannot be sufficiently mitigated for inclusion in the communal living setting;
• If the animal's vaccinations are not up-to-date;
• If the animal poses or has posed in the past a direct threat to the individual or others such as aggressive behavior towards or injuring the individual or others; or
• If the animal causes or has caused excessive damage to housing beyond reasonable wear and tear.

Students approved to have an ESA in the residence halls are expected to abide by the following guidelines:

• The student must abide by current city, county, and state ordinances, laws, and/or regulations pertaining to vaccination and other requirements for animals. It is the student’s responsibility to know and understand these ordinances, laws, and regulations. The College has the right to require documentation of compliance with such ordinances, laws, and/or regulations, which includes vaccination records where applicable.
• The student must ensure the animal is well cared for at all times. Any evidence of mistreatment or abuse may result in immediate removal of the ESA and/or conduct charges.
• The ESA must be contained within the student’s assigned room except to the extent the individual is taking the animal out for exercise and natural relief.
• The student must promptly dispose of the ESA’s waste in a safe and sanitary method.
• The ESA must be contained (crate/cage) when the student is not in the room.  The College reserves the right to inspect the crate/cage.  Neither the animal nor the cage/crate and accessories can be washed in communal bathroom facilities.
• ESAs are only permitted in the individually assigned residence hall room and not in lounges, hallways, stairwells, common spaces, or other student rooms.
• When moving the ESA through residential common areas for the purpose of leaving the building, the ESA must be on a leash or in a cage and under the direct control of the student.
• ESAs may not be left overnight in campus housing to be cared for by any individual other than the student. The animal must accompany the student if the student is to be absent from their room overnight. The ESA must not be left in their room for an unreasonable amount of time during the day.
• The student agrees to abide by all equally applicable residential policies that are unrelated to the individual’s disability, such as assuring that the animal does not unduly interfere with the routine activities of the residence or cause difficulties for individuals who reside there.
• The student is financially responsible for any damage caused by the ESA beyond reasonable wear and tear, as well as all costs associated with the care and upkeep of the ESA.
• A student with a disability may be charged for any damage caused by their ESA beyond reasonable wear and tear to the same extent that it charges other students for damages beyond reasonable wear and tear. The student’s room may also be inspected for fleas, ticks or other pests, if necessary, as part of the College’s standard or routine inspections. The student will be billed for the expense of any pest treatment above and beyond standard pest management in the residence halls. The College shall have the right to bill the student’s account for unmet obligations under this provision. 
• Whittier College personnel shall not be required to provide care for any ESA including, but not limited to, removing the animal during emergency evacuation for events such as a fire alarm. Emergency personnel will determine whether to remove the animal and may not be held responsible for the care, damage to, or loss of the animal. 
• The student must fully cooperate with College personnel with regard to meeting the terms of this contract and developing procedures for care of the animal (e.g., cleaning the animal, feeding/watering the animal, designating an outdoor relief area, disposing of feces, etc.).

Whittier College reserves the right to revoke a student’s approval to keep an ESA in college housing immediately if the animal poses a risk to the Whittier community. Failure to comply with the ESA approval process and Housing & Residential guidelines may result in disciplinary action pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct.