An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that provides emotional support and helps reduce one or more effects of a person’s disability.
Students seeking to bring an ESA into campus housing should be aware that approval is not immediate and should not expect the animal to move into housing as soon as a request is submitted. The review process may take time depending on the completeness of the documentation provided, the type of animal, vaccination and veterinary records, and the animal's compliance with university housing requirements. Students are encouraged to begin the process well in advance of when they hope to have the animal reside on campus. Any animal found living on campus before completing the ESA process and receiving approval from Housing and Residence Life must be removed from housing within 24 hours.
To request an ESA, follow these steps:
Contact Disability Resources
Reach out to USI Disability Resources to begin the process.
The office will email you:
A link to an electronic form
A PDF verification form for your medical provider
Complete Required Documentation
Fill out the electronic form.
Have your medical provider complete the PDF form.
The provider must also submit additional information on official letterhead (outlined in the form).
Both documents are required before your request can be reviewed.
Application Review
Disability Resources reviews your submission to confirm all documentation is complete.
Intake Appointment
If your documentation meets requirements, you will be contacted to schedule an intake appointment.
This meeting will assess your eligibility for an ESA.
Approval Notification
If approved, Disability Resources will notify Housing and Residence Life (HRL).
You will receive an email with instructions to register your animal with HRL.
Final Approval Considerations
HRL may deny an animal if:
It has a history of dangerous behavior
It is not suitable for campus housing facilities
To live on campus, ESAs must:
Be housebroken
Not disrupt other residents
Have all required vaccinations (per Indiana and Vanderburgh County guidelines)
Complete all of the following:
Animal Registration Form
Emailed from Housing to you after ESA approval
Submit the form to receive next steps
Animal Policy Video
Review the full video (read or listen)
Link will be emailed after submitting your registration form
Animal Agreement
Complete the agreement form
Form is included with the policy video
Once all steps are completed, you may bring your approved ESA to campus.
You are responsible for informing your roommate(s) or suitemates before bringing your ESA to campus.
HRL will place a visible animal tag outside your apartment or suite.
This helps staff and emergency personnel identify where animals are located.
Important:
Tags are assigned to a specific resident
Tags must remain in place while you live in the space
Tags must be returned at checkout
If an animal tag is not returned, a fine will be charged to your student account.