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Emotional Support Animal

Emotional Support Animal Definition
An animal that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified effects of a person’s disability.

Emotional Support Animal Request Process

  • Contact USI Disability Resources regarding the ESA process. The office will email the student an electronic form link to complete. Additionally, the email includes a PDF document that must be completed by the student's medical provider and returned to Disability Resources. It is important to make the provider aware that in addition to the verification form, additional information is required on the provider’s letter head, which is outlined on the form. The request is unable to be processed without both components being completed.
  • Disability Resources reviews the requests and ensures all documentation is present.
  • After the request has been reviewed and meets the criteria, a representative from the Disability Resources office will complete an intake appointment with the student to assess their eligibility for an ESA on campus. If the student is approved, Disability Resources will send an notification to the Housing and Residence Life (HRL) office.
  • Upon receiving approval for the ESA from Disability Resources, the student is sent an email containing instructions on how to register the animal with HRL. Please note HRL reserves the right to not allow an animal that has a history of dangerous behavior or if it is determined housing facilities are not conducive to that type of animal.

    • To be eligible to live on campus, emotional support animals (depending on type and breed) must:

      • Be old enough to be reliably housebroken

      • Not be disruptive to other residents

      • Have all immunizations required by the State of Indiana and Vanderburgh County for the safety of residents and other animals

    • Steps To Be Completed Before Bringing Your ESA to Campus

      1. Complete the Animal Registration Form.
        This form will be emailed to the student after receiving notification from USI Disability Resources. After submitting the form, student will receive an email with links to the required Animal Policy online presentation and the Animal Agreement. 

      2. Watch the Animal Policy presentation.
        Student must review the presentation in full—either by reading or listening to it. The presentation is emailed to the student after Step 1 is completed.

      3. Complete the Animal Agreement. Agreement link is in the email sent with the presentation.

Once a student has completed all steps, they may bring the approved ESA to their assigned campus living space. 

Reminder: It is the student's responsibility to inform roommate/suitemates of their intention to bring an emotional support animal.

To provide enhanced security for apartments and residence halls with animals and allow emergency personnel to know where animals reside, HRL staff will place an animal tag that is visible from outside the apartment or residence hall suite. Each tag is numbered and will be assigned to a specific resident. The tags may not be removed while living in the space. Residents must return the tag when they check out and turn in their key. If a resident does not return the tag, a fine will be added to their student account.