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THE DIVISION OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT & CAMPUS LIFE Accessibility & Disability Resource Center Hathaway Hall #107

Phone: (502 597-6041 Work Cell (502) 330-0550 www.kysu.edu

Support/Service Animal Information

Emotional Support Animal

Is an animal that provides comfort just by being with a person. Because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. However, some state or local governments have laws that allow people to take emotional support animals into public places. You may check with your state and local government agencies to find out about these laws.

Service Animal

If you have a physical or mental disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities, then you are entitled to a service animal that performs tasks for you. No person or business is ever allowed to ask about your disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the service dog, or ask that the service dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task. In addition, you are never required to disclose what your disability is to anyone.

Process for registering ESA/SA at Kentucky State University

1. 1. Submit disability documents of which can be no older than three years old to the Accessibility & Disability Resource Center. Those documents must be on an official letterhead from the mental health professional or doctor. The documents must be signed and dated by the mental health professional or doctor.

The letter is to include:

• Physician's name, license number, state, and the date it was issued
• Written on the doctor's letterhead
• Signature
• The letter is only valid for one year.
• Submit the medical document from the mental health professional or doctor approving the use of an ESA (Emotional Support Animal) along with proof of vaccination to the Accessibility & Disability Resource Center. All documents must be on an official letterhead from the mental health professional or doctor, and veterinarian. The documents must be signed and dated by the mental health professional or doctor, and veterinarian.
• The document must state the animals name, weight, type color, and how the animal will emotionally support the student.
• (Service animals only)- Submit the proper registration documents for the service dog (US Service Animals Registry) to the Accessibility & Disability Resource Center.

4. Once all documents have been submitted and processed in the Disability Resource Center, the documents will be sent over to the Residence Life Department for processing.
5. Complete the Service/Support Animal Roommate Agreement located at the Residence Life Department
6. You will be notified by the Residence Life Department, of when the animal can be brought to campus.

*** (No animals are to be on campus without university approval) ***

For students who do not currently have proper documentation

1. Prior to students bringing their animal to campus they will contact Mr. William Mynk in the Center for Emotional Wellness and request an appointment to be assessed.
2. Students will agree to undergo a psychological assessment in order to determine their need for an Emotional Support Animal.
3. Mr. Mynk will forward the results of the evaluation, along with all appropriate documentation to the DRC for review within three (3) business days.
4. The ADRC will make the final determination regarding the animal.

ADRC Regulations that need to be followed

• The emotional support animal must be house trained before coming to campus
• Animals larger than 25 pounds cannot be placed in the residence hall
• The Assessibility & Disability Resource Center will determine the species of animal allowed in the residence halls, based on the reasonableness of the accommodation.
• Unless otherwise stated, the ESA is only permitted in the residence hall where the student resides
• The ESA is to only be in the possession of the authorized student of the ESA at all times
• The animal needs to be up to date on vaccinations and proof will be required
• The animal must be verified by a mental health professional
• A picture of the animal and completion of the service/support animal Roommate Agreement will also be required

Who Needs Emotional Support Animals

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are those animals that have been recommended by a doctor and appointed to provide assistance. While they are different from service animals, they are recognized by United States federal law. Although service animals are limited to particular types of animals and breeds, a wide range of animals can be considered emotional support animals. These emotional support animals are used to treat issues like depression, anxiety, phobias, and other emotional or psychological conditions.

Of course, the only way to determine if an emotional support animal is right for you is to talk to your doctor. If you have any of the above conditions, bringing up the idea of an emotional support animals to your doctor could be a great option. All you need to qualify for an emotion support animal is to receive a recommendation from your doctor or mental health professional.

It is also important to note that any type of animal or breed of dog can qualify as an emotional support animal. If an animal comforts you, it could be a great option for providing you with the support that you need.

Conditions That Qualify for an Emotional Support Animal

According to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a physical disability is “[a]ny physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine.”

Some of the common conditions that qualify for a service dog include autism, arthritis, asthma, blindness, deafness, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, paralysis, scoliosis, and seizures. On the other hand, emotional support animals are commonly recommended for conditions like anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, mood disorders, neurocognitive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychotic conditions, and substance abuse problems.

Access to Housing with Emotional Support Animals

According to the Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), it is illegal to discriminate against someone with a recognized impairment. This law is relevant to emotional support animals because it means that housing rights must be given to those with emotional support animals. In other words, even if a property has a “no pets” policy, they must make reasonable accommodation to emotional support animals. This applies to public housing, college dorms, and any other accommodation. It is worth noting, however that this law does not override existing

health codes. For example, some states have public health laws that prohibit dogs, including emotional support animals, in swimming pools.

Generally speaking, landlords must accept emotional support animals but it is not always a clear cut situation. From a legal standpoint, a landlord is required to establish that a potential tenant has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life functions. Secondly, you will want to show your landlord evidence that the emotional support animal is able to provide support to daily life. The majority of the time a letter from your doctor explaining your need for an emotional support animal will suffice. While “reasonable accommodation” must be made, there are some exceptions. Legally, a private club doesn’t need to accept emotional support animals. Likewise, a building with four or fewer rental units that is landlord-occupied does not need to accept emotional support animals nor does a single-family home that is rented without a real estate broker.

RESOURCES

What is an emotional support Official Service & Support Animal Registration?

Link:

https://usserviceanimals.org/certification?utm_content=Bing;Search;ECD;EmotionalSupportAnimal1;%2Bsupport%20%2Banimal;100&msclkid=855b6f91aa051534054c335016f991fc&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MMP%20-%20Enhanced%20CPC%20-

%20Desktop&utm_term=%2Bsupport%20%2Banimal

Service Dog Certification

Link: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/emotional-support-dog-requirements/

Kentucky Service Dog Laws

Link: https://esadoctors.com/how-to-get-an-emotional-support-animal-in-kentucky/

Link: https://usaservicedogregistration.com/statelaws/kentucky-service-dog-laws/