FAQs

When can I bring my animal to campus?

Your animal is not allowed on campus until you receive written approval from AAS or University Housing. Possession of an unapproved animal will result in a referral to Student Conduct.

How long will it take to know if I’ve been approved?

As committee members have varying schedules, we are unable to guarantee a specific timeline. However, applications that are complete upon submission generally receive a final decision within 7-10 business days.

If additional information or documentation is needed, this timeline may be extended depending on how quickly the requested materials are provided. The timeline may also be extended in cases where the university is closed (e.g., holiday breaks or inclement weather).

What if my animal is not old enough to get their rabies vaccine?

The committee will consider the possibility of a conditional approval. This means your animal may be approved on the condition that you provide proof of a scheduled rabies vaccination appointment and submit the supporting documentation by an agreed-upon deadline.

Please note that conditional approvals are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed. You may still be required to complete the standard approval process before your animal is permitted on campus.

My animal does not require vaccinations. Do I still need to provide vet records?

Most often, yes—but this is determined on a case-by-case basis. ESAs are generally limited to commonly domesticated species, which are typically cared for by specific types of veterinarians.

If your animal does not receive standard vaccinations, it is likely you will still be required to provide documentation from a veterinarian confirming that the animal is in good health and does not pose a risk to the health or safety of others.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Do I have to apply for an ESA every year?

If you have previously been approved to have an ESA in your on-campus residence, you do not need to reapply as long as all of the following are true:

• • • You are bringing back the same animal you were originally approved for (e.g., your orange cat named Simon).
    • There were no disciplinary or housing issues related to your ESA during your previous stay.
    • You were not instructed to remove the animal.

If any of these conditions do not apply, you will likely need to submit a new application for approval.

Please contact our office if you're unsure whether reapplication is necessary — we’re happy to help.

What happens if I get a new ESA? (i.e., death, lost)

If you are replacing a previously approved ESA with a new animal, a new application is required. Previous approvals do not carry over, and possession of a new, unapproved animal may result in a referral to Student Conduct.

You may note on your application that we have a provider letter on file; however, please be aware that updated documentation may still be required in some cases.

Can I be approved for multiple ESAs?

Being approved for multiple ESAs is possible, but not guaranteed. For requests involving multiple animals, we require documentation that clearly justifies the need for two animals and explains why a single ESA is inadequate.

What if my ESA application is denied?

You can submit a written appeal request to the AAS director, and it will be investigated and reviewed.