Service animals and emotional support animals may be used by individuals with disabilities for a variety of reasons. It is important to be aware of the University’s responsibilities and regulations regarding access for such animals, and the compliance with the ADA law, the Fair Housing Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 

For more information, see the University’s Support Animals Policy, Service Animals Policy and Pet Policy.

Definitions


Service Animal, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is "a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.”  A service animal is a working animal, and the work or task the animal has been trained to provide must be directly related to the Handler's disability and perform some of the functions/tasks of normal daily living that cannot be done due to the disability.

Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is defined as an animal that provides emotional support, well-being, or companionship that alleviates or mitigates symptoms of a disability for their Owner. ESAs may be approved as a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act for individuals with documented disabilities. They are typically allowed in campus housing when appropriate documentation is provided, but they are not permitted in academic buildings, classrooms, or other public campus spaces.

ESAs are not pets, and are not considered Service Animals under the ADA. 

Service Animal: FAQs

  • Where are service animals allowed on campus?

    Service Animals are permitted inside University buildings and facilities, including residence halls. Service Animals are allowed to accompany their handlers at all times and everywhere on campus, except in areas where specifically prohibited due to health, environmental or safety hazards (e.g. mechanical rooms, machine shops, custodial closets, laboratories as defined in the Laboratory Safety and Security Policy, and areas where there is a danger to the animal.).

    Advance notice (at least 30 days) is required by Housing Services to provide appropriate accommodations.

  • Can CUA ask for proof that my animal is a service animal?

    University staff may ask only two questions if it is not obvious that your animal is a service animal:

    1. Is the animal required because of a disability?
    2. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform.
      Staff cannot require documentation, ask about your disability, or request a demonstration of the tasks.

  • What are my responsibilities as a Service Animal handler?

    Handlers are solely responsible for the care, supervision, and control of their service animals at all times. Service animals must be leashed or harnessed unless the handler’s disability prevents it, in which case the animal must remain under effective control.

    Animals that are disruptive, not housebroken, or pose a direct threat to health or safety may be removed from campus, and repeated issues may require corrective measures before returning. Handlers are also responsible for any damage caused by their animals and should identify an alternate caregiver in case of emergency.

    Handlers are to ensure Service Animals have an annual clean bill of health from a licensed veterinarian, be well groomed/clean, have current vaccinations and immunizations (including wearing current rabies tags), and are responsible for all waste clean up and removal.

  • Does my Service Animal need to wear an identifier?

    No, the ADA does not require service animals to wear a vest, ID tag, or specific harness. 

    If necessary, University officials may make limited inquiries as allowed by the Revised ADA Requirements and in accordance with section IV, above. Note that DC Code §8-1804 requires that dogs in the District of Columbia be licensed.

For more information about Service Animals, please see the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Requirements and FAQs.

Emotional Support Animal: Application Process, Guidelines, and FAQs


Eligibility for an ESA is based on appropriate documentation of a disability and an identifiable relationship between the disability and the support the ESA provides to the Owner. No ESA may be present on campus unless the Owner has a current Letter of Accommodation from DSS.

Application Process

  1. Review the How to Register page, and create an account in the Accommodate portal
  2. Request a Housing Accommodation, indicating the request for an ESA
  3. Provide supporting documentation (see our Documentation Guidelines page and the ESA drop-down for more detailed information) 
    It is strongly recommended that the above steps are completed prior to the deadline to submit a housing application for the following semester.
  4. DSS staff will conduct a preliminary review of your submission. DSS requires at least 10 business days to review requests for an ESA and supporting documentation.
  5. If DSS determines that an ESA is a reasonable accommodation, the Owner must submit the applicable documentation:

  • Guidelines Page

    A printed and signed copy of this webpage as proof that the Owner has read and agreed to the guidelines and responsibilities.

  • Roommate Acknowledgement

    If applicable, the Owner will discuss with roommate(s) and submit a signed Roommate Acknowledgement.

  • Vaccination & Licensing

    Dogs
    1. Proof of up-to-date rabies and distemper vaccinations, 
    2. Proof of sterilization (spaying or neutering), and 
    3. Each dog over four months old must have a District of Columbia license and wear it on a collar at all times. 

    Cats
    1. Proof of up-to-date rabies and distemper vaccinations (kittens need distemper shots at eight weeks of age, and a booster every three weeks until they are 12–16 weeks old. Their first rabies shot is given at 14–16 weeks, and it is good for one year only. After receiving the second rabies shot, a cat must be re-vaccinated at least every three years), and
    2. Proof of sterilization (spaying or neutering).

    Other Animals
    1. Other animals must be in good health,
    2. Completed all vaccinations ordinarily required for a healthy animal of that type or species, 
    3. Have documentation from a licensed veterinarian dated within the past year stating that the animal is in good health, and 
    4. Local licensing requirements must be followed.

 

Guidelines and Responsibilities 


Guidelines
  1. An Owner is required to request an accommodation for an ESA every semester. DSS must approve an ESA as an accommodation every semester. 
  2. The ESA is allowed in University housing as long as it is necessary because of the Owner’s disability. The Owner must notify DSS in writing if the ESA is no longer needed or is no longer in residence. If the Owner wishes to replace one ESA for another, a new application and review of the request and animal must be submitted. 
  3. No ESA may be in a residence hall without a current Letter of Accommodation. 
  4. Any conflict with another resident relating to the ESA will be resolved by the Office of Housing Services, in the Office of Housing Services reasonable discretion, and may result in a change of room assignment for Owner. To ensure that the presence of an ESA is not an undue administrative burden or fundamental alteration of University housing, the University reserves the right to assign an individual with an ESA to a single room without a roommate.
  5. ESAs are only permitted in an individual’s University residence and other campus areas approved by the Office of Housing Services. Requests for an ESA in areas other than the residence hall room will be considered on a case-by-case basis and require a formal written accommodation from DSS. 

Responsibilities
  1. All ESAs must be under the control of the Owner at all times while on campus. 
  2. When an ESA is outside the private individual living accommodations, it must be in an animal carrier or controlled by a leash or harness. The Owner is liable for all actions of the ESA. 
  3. The Owner is responsible for ensuring the ESA is contained, as appropriate, when the Owner is not present during the day while attending classes or other activities. 
  4. The ESA must be properly cared for and nourished. University personnel shall not be required to or responsible for providing care or food for any ESA including, but not limited to, removing the animal during emergency evacuation for events such as a fire alarm. 
  5. ESAs must be housebroken. Cleaning up the waste of an ESA is the sole responsibility of the Owner. Waste must be removed by placing it in a closed container and depositing it in an appropriate outdoor receptacle. It is the responsibility of the Owner to immediately clean up any mess created by the ESA. 
  6. Any cost incurred by the University to clean up the mess or repair property damage caused by an ESA is the responsibility of the Owner. 
  7. All liability and responsibility for the ESA (including, but not limited to, bites, scratches, and escape) rests with the Owner. The University encourages the Owner to obtain appropriate liability insurance. 
  8. The Owner agrees to continue to abide by all other University policies. 
  9. ESAs may not be left overnight in University housing alone or to be cared for by any individual other than the resident. If the Owner is to be absent from his or her residence hall overnight or longer, the ESA must accompany the Owner. 
  10. If the ESA escapes from the Owner’s room, the Owner agrees to immediately notify the Resident Assistant and Community Director.
  11. The Owner’s residence may be inspected by the University for fleas, ticks or other pests once a semester or as needed in the University’s discretion. If fleas, ticks, or other pests are detected during inspection, the residence will be treated using approved fumigation methods by a University-approved pest control service. The Owner will be billed for this service and the approved ESA will not be allowed back in the residence hall until the Owner provides proof that the ESA has been treated for the condition by a veterinarian.

 

FAQs

  • What are some considerations that the University factors when determining if an ESA is reasonable?

    • The size of the animal is too large for available assigned housing space 
    • The animal's presence otherwise violates individuals' right to enjoy peace and quiet
    • The animal is not permitted in the District of Columbia by applicable law or regulation
    • The animal does not have an established history of living with the student (typically six months or longer) prior to request
    • The animal is not housebroken or is unable to live with others in a reasonable manner
    • The animal's vaccinations are not up-to-date
    • The animal poses or has posed in the past a direct threat to the individual or others such as aggressive behavior towards or injuring the individual or others
    • The animal causes or has caused excessive damage to property beyond reasonable wear and tear. 

  • Why would my ESA be denied or removed?

    • The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others
    • The animal causes substantial property damage to the University or property of others
    • The animal imposes an undue financial and/or administrative burden on the University
    • The animal's presence results in a fundamental alteration of a University’s program or University housing policies
    • The animal or its presence creates a continued disturbance or interference with the University community
    • The Owner does not comply with the Guidelines and Responsibilities (see below) or other University policies
    • The animal repeatedly acts inappropriately or is not under control. In this circumstance, the animal may be excluded from being on campus until the inappropriate behavior has been addressed and the animal is under control

  • What if I want to appeal the decision or express a grievance?

    Owners who wish to express a grievance or appeal a decision regarding their ESA should follow DSS’s Grievance Procedure. 

 

 

Updated July 2025