Emotional Support Animal on Campus

This document outlines the procedures for students and employees to use service animals, as well as emotional support animals, while attending Kentucky State University (KSU). KSU complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by permitting the use of service animals by students, faculty, and visitors. KSU complies with the Fair Housing Act, allowing students to use of approved emotional support animals as an accommodation. Employees may not bring their emotional support animals to work.

KSU's Definition of Emotional Support Animals:

An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that brings comfort by being there with a human. Because they have not been trained to perform a specific function or task, they are not classified as service animals under the ADA. Unlike a service animal, students must request to bring an emotional support animal to campus and show adequate evidence to the ADRC and OHRL.

The institution's policy prohibits animals of any type on university housing. However, the institution is committed to making reasonable accommodations and carrying out its obligations under federal, state, and local laws and regulations. In order to permit an ESA to live on campus, the university will review and handle requests for reasonable and necessary accommodations for a person with a qualifying disability. Animals should not be brought to campus prior to approval being granted.

KSU will conduct an individual assessment of each recommended emotional support animal. Dogs must be housebroken and have proof of rabies vaccination. The use of "puppy pads" will be prohibited. No reptiles other than turtles are authorized.

Qualifying Guidelines to have Emotional Support Animals on Campus

For those who qualify to have a to have an emotional support animal on campus:

• The student must have a disability as defined by the ADA.
• The accompanying animal must be approved by a qualified medical/therapist as part of the therapeutic procedure.
• For an animal to qualify as an emotional support animal, the student must show a well-established relationship with animal.
• The students must notify the ADRC if approved ESA needs to be replaced, they must submit a new application to request new animal.
• The student must notify the ADRC if the animal is no longer required or no longer resides on KSU property.
• The student must contact the ADRC and Residential Life as early as possible to permit time to gather and review all necessary documents.

For those who qualify to have a to have an emotional support animal in residence hall:

• The student must have a disability as defined by the ADA.
• The student must be registered with the ADRC.
• The emotional support animal must be approved by the ADRC, in conjunction with other offices as needed.