Emotional Support Animal: The Fair Housing Act defines an emotional support animal (ESA) as any animal that provides emotional support, well-being, or companionship that alleviates or mitigates symptoms of the disability; the animal is not individually trained. Emotional support animals are not limited to dogs and can be other species of animal. Emotional support animals are not considered service animals.  


Emotional Support Animals on Campus 

Emotional support animals are only allowed in campus housing. For a student to qualify for an emotional support animal (ESA) in campus housing: 

  1. Contact Housing at housing@my.harrisburgu.edu and request to begin the ESA Approval process.  
  2. Housing will provide the student the required form(s) needed based on the student’s specific housing building, as HU provides campus housing through multiple partners each with independent processes. 
    • The forms need to be completed per the specific animal requested. If the student changes their ESA animal, they will need to update/complete the forms again.  
    • The forms also need to be completed per each housing building. If the student moves between partnered housing buildings, they will need to update/complete the forms for the new building. 
    • Students are permitted to reuse the original medical documentation each time.  
  3. All forms must be completed and emailed to Housing at housing@my.harrisburgu.edu. Once forms are submitted, they are reviewed by the Housing staff and then forwarded to the respective housing partners. If the student requires assistance, the Housing team can help guide the student through the form(s). ESAs must be up to date with all vaccinations required by law. Students must submit a digital copy of an updated vaccination record of the ESA along with the completed forms. The vaccination record must be from a board-certified veterinarian office. 
  4. If there is more information needed from the student, the housing partner will contact the student directly, copying the Housing staff to assist the student if needed. Once the respective housing partners confirm receipt of the documents and that no further information is needed from the student, the form is officially completed. 
  5. Lastly, the Housing staff then informs the student that the forms are completed and goes over any next steps. The student will then be asked to book a meeting with one of the Housing staff over to discuss animal care and the student’s responsibility for the animal in campus housing, as pertains to community living standards and shared spaces. The student may request this meeting by emailing housing@my.harrisburgu.edu. 


Rights and Responsibilities for Emotional Support Animals in Campus Housing 


The owner of the service animal is responsible for…  

  • Being in full control of the emotional support animal at all times. 
  • Ensuring the emotional support animal has a harness, leash, or tether or is transported in an appropriate enclosure whenever it is outside of the residence hall room where it is being housed. In shared living spaces, the emotional support animal should be in an appropriate container if the owner is not in the room with the animal. 
  • Following all rules related to the restrictions of animals from buildings on campus other than their campus-affiliated housing. Emotional Support Animals are not permitted in academic or administrative buildings. 
  • Covering the costs of care necessary for the emotional support animal’s well-being. The arrangements and responsibilities for the care of an emotional support animal are the sole responsibility of the owner at all times. 
  • Not leaving the emotional support animal unattended for an unreasonable length of time. 
  • Independently removing or arranging for the removal of the emotional support animal’s waste. Waste must be disposed of in a sealed bag in the designated trash area. 
  • Complying with local and state licensing laws for animal rights and owner responsibilities.  
  • Ensuring that emotional support animals are current with immunizations and wear a rabies vaccination tag if appropriate.  Providing documentation of rabies vaccination to Student Success annually. 
  • Paying for any damage to University property caused by the animal or pest treatment required due to the presence of the animal. 
  • Abiding by all applicable Housing and Residential Life policies, including room inspections. 
  • In the event a student is hospitalized, incapacitated, or unable to be in control or take care of the ESA or service animal in campus housing, the Office of Student Life will contact the student’s emergency contact to remove the ESA or service animal from campus housing and care for the animal until the student is able to resume control and care of the animal. 
  • Notifying housing@my.harrisburgu.edu if the emotional support animal is no longer needed. Renewing ESA requests with Housing annually.  


Important Considerations for Service Animals and Emotion Support Animals 


A service animal or emotional support animal can be asked to leave or not allowed participation on campus and/or campus-affiliated housing if: 

  • The animal is found by the University to be out of control or disruptive and the animal’s owner does not take immediate and effective action to control it. 
  • The animal is not housebroken or kept in a cage where waste can be managed effectively. 
  • The animal is found to be neglected or mistreated, and prompt corrective action is not taken.  
  • The animal is physically ill or unreasonably dirty. 
  • A service animal attempts to enter a place on campus where the presence of a service animal causes danger to the safety of the owner or other students/member of campus. 
  • A service animal attempts to enter any place on campus where the service animal’s safety is compromised. 
  • An emotional support animal is brought inside a building other than the approved campus-affiliated housing. 


If you have any questions about the policy or what constitutes an ESA, feel free to reach out to Accessibility Services at ADA@HarrisburgU.edu at any time!