Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

Process for Requesting an ESA Accommodation

In accordance with the Fair Housing Act, an individual with a documented disability may have the right to have an animal in campus housing if the animal qualifies as a ‘reasonable accommodation’ that is necessary to afford the student equal opportunity to use and enjoy the housing; (assuming that the use of the animal does not pose a direct threat). Approval from PASS is required before the animal is allowed on campus.

1. Submit a completed Housing Accommodation Request Form during housing selection process.
2. Submit a Housing Accommodation Application online through PASS.
3. Prepare to have a reliable third party (a verifiable, licensed professional with whom you have an established therapeutic relationship) provide a letter verifying need for an emotional support animal. The letter will need to include: verification of disability and a connection between the disability-related barrier and the need for this accommodation. A reliable third party is someone who is familiar with the student’s disability, the necessity for the accommodation, and the nexus between the student’s disability and the therapeutic relief of one or more symptoms of the student’s disability provided by the ESA. 
4. Documentation should be from a provider who you have had at least a 30-day relationship with per updates to California ESA laws.

Requests for an emotional support animal are evaluated on a case-by-case. PASS will consider different factors when reviewing the request, such as whether the animal could pose a direct threat, inflict harm, or cause substantial property damage.

1. The student must demonstrate that they have an established relationship with the animal, and that they have ability to properly provide the care required to maintain the health and safety of the animal.
2. ESA’s should not be brought to campus prior to approval being granted. A request must be submitted each academic year.
   Upon submitting a request and documentation, staff will review the information provided and will contact the student within 1-2 weeks to communicate a decision. If approved, student will be asked to sign an ESA Agreement outlining guidelines and student responsibilities as well as potential causes for removal of the ESA from campus housing. If a non approved animal (a pet) is discovered in campus housing the animal will need to be removed immediately and will not be considered for approval.

Service Animals

A service animal is defined as: Any dog 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. The work or task that the dog performs must be directly related to the individual’s disability.
The following animals are not considered service animals under titles II and III of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA):

• Any animal besides dogs (though there are special provisions permitting miniature horses in some cases);
• Animals that serve solely to provide a crime deterrent effect, and
• Emotional support, comfort, or companion animals.

The regulations also provide that Pitzer College need not accommodate a service animal if it poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others, the owner cannot effectively control it, or if the animal is not housebroken.