Service and Emotional Support Animals

Part 1

1. Complete application.
2. Upload documentation.
3. Attend Intake Appointment with a DSS specialist.

Part 2

If the student is initially approved for an ESA, they must do the following for final approval:

4. Sign ESA Agreement and housing agreement acknowledging the ESA policy.
5. Provide ESA information (such as name, size and color), medical history and complete vaccination records.

Once these documents have been reviewed and deemed complete, the student will receive confirmation and they may bring their ESA to campus for the approved academic term. ESA accommodations must be renewed each academic year. ESAs are not allowed on campus until the accommodation request has been made and approved, and relevant medical history/vaccinations has been submitted to DSS. Final approval will be emailed to the student and Residence Life and Housing Office.

New ESA requests for the 2026–2027 academic year will not be accepted at this time as ESA policies are currently under revision. We anticipate having revised policies and applications available by April 2026.

• For the fall semesters, we must have your completed application and supporting documentation submitted to DSS by July 15th prior to on-campus arrival.
• For the spring semesters, we must have your completed application and supporting documentation submitted to DSS by November 15th of the prior year.
• Students admitted to Whitman College after the deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), a person with a disability may keep an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in their dwelling if there is an established need for the therapeutic nature of the animal related to the disability. Additional information can be found here.

Whitman College recognizes that having an ESA in the residence hall may be a benefit for a student with a significant mental health disorder, but the practical limitations of housing arrangements make it necessary to carefully consider the impact of the request for an ESA on both the student and the campus community.

Whitman College will consider requests for housing accommodations to allow students with significant mental health challenges to keep an ESA in residence. Given the communal living nature of residence halls, the institution must consider the comfort and concerns of all students. ESAs are not allowed on campus until the accommodation request has been made and approved, and relevant medical history/vaccinations has been submitted to DSS. Final approval will be emailed to the student and Residence Life and Housing Office.

To qualify for an ESA accommodation, students must meet the following criteria:

1. The student has a documented disability.
2. The ESA is necessary for the student to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their dwelling.
3. There is an identifiable and documented relationship between the disability and the assistance the animal provides.

Whitman College will allow only those ESAs that are permitted by local and state laws and meet the requirements outlined in this policy.

Please note that documentation purchased from internet-based ESA services is not acceptable. Websites selling certificates, registrations or licenses for assistive animals typically do not provide sufficient or reliable documentation. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), such documentation is not adequate to verify the need for an ESA, especially when the disability or need for accommodation is not readily apparent.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating such websites, which often do not have the expertise required to make accurate determinations regarding disabilities and ESA needs.

The best form of documentation comes from a licensed healthcare professional who has personal knowledge of the individual and their condition. The professional should provide a note confirming the individual’s disability and the need for an ESA as outlined below.

Two Options for ESA Documentation:

1. Your current provider may complete a housing provider documentation form with the included requested information included (below)

or 

2. A housing documentation letter that follows the Housing Documentation Guidelines as well as the specific ESA requested information. This additional information may be included in a documentation letter.

For the Provider Providing ESA (Emotional Support Animal) Documentation:

Please consider these specific/additional questions to address when recommending an emotional support animal accommodation for a college student with a disability: 

• What is the nature of the student’s mental health disability? Please include a DSM-V diagnosis (specific disability), code and pertinent background information and history related to the disability. 
• How is the student substantially limited by this disability such that an ESA would be necessary for this student to have the full benefit or enjoyment of housing on a college campus? 
• Does the student require ongoing treatment for this diagnosis, and if so, how is that treatment being provided? 
• How long have you been working with the student regarding this mental health diagnosis? 
• Is this an animal that you specifically recommended as part of treatment for the student? 
• Please describe specific symptoms of the disability that may be reduced by having an ESA. Is there evidence that an ESA has helped this student in the past or is helping currently? If so, please explain. 
• Have you discussed the responsibilities or reviewed the Emotional Support Policy associated with properly caring for an animal while engaged in typical college activities and residing in campus housing?
• Do you believe those responsibilities might exacerbate the student’s symptoms in any way? 

Housing Documentation Guidelines

For documentation to be considered, it must come from a licensed professional with whom the student has an established relationship regarding the accommodation request. The provider should submit the required information on their professional letterhead, including:

• Diagnosis and diagnosis code(s) as applicable.
• Description of disability and level of impact.
• Information about the current functional impact on major life activities as related to the housing modification or accommodation requested.
• Explanation of how these accommodations may alleviate the impact of a disability or reduce the impact of a specific set of symptoms.
• Recommendation(s) from the professional explaining the need for the housing accommodation as it relates to the disability. Please note that DSS makes the final decision about whether an accommodation is appropriate and reasonable.