A dog, or a miniature horse, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. The work or tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability.
Examples of tasks include, but are not limited to:
An animal used to provide emotional support, comfort, and in some cases, assistance with symptoms of anxiety, depression, or similar symptoms of disability. ESAs are only allowed in campus housing.
Please be aware that ESA registration is not a legally recognized process and, as such, we are not able to accept ESA ID cards or ESA certificates from online companies.
| Comparison | Service Animals | Emotional Support Animals |
|---|---|---|
| ADA Covered: Right to bring animal into public establishments | Yes | No |
| Receives extensive training and exposure to different experiences, environments and people | Yes | No |
| May live with their disabled owners, even if there is a “no pet” policy | Yes | Yes |
| Primary function is to provide emotional support through companionship | No | Yes |
