{"id":1231,"date":"2024-01-10T08:42:12","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T13:42:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/?page_id=1231"},"modified":"2024-10-18T11:50:45","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T15:50:45","slug":"emotional-support-animal-esa-procedure-and-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/emotional-support-animal-esa-procedure-and-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Procedure and Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Intent: <\/strong>To outline the process of determining if a student is eligible to have an emotional support animal (ESA) in on University housing. Also notifying housing if a student is eligible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Accountability: <\/strong>The Director of DDS and all DDS professional staff, the ADA\/504 Coordinator and students with disabilities requesting DDS accommodations and support services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Applicability:<\/strong> Students enrolled at Monmouth University who live in University housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Definition:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><\/strong><strong>Emotional Support Animals (ESA)<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Any animal that is able to provide emotional support which provides ameliorative effects to one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person\u2019s disability. (per Monmouth University\u2019s <em>Policy and Procedure on Service and Emotional Support Animals<\/em>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>ESA\u2019s provide companionship, relieve loneliness, and sometimes help with depression, anxiety, and certain phobias, but do not have special training to perform tasks that assist people with disabilities. Therefore, <strong>these animals are not considered service animals under the ADA<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Procedure:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) cannot be brought to campus without approval.<\/strong> Students requesting an emotional support animal in residential housing must complete the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/monmouth-accommodate.symplicity.com\/public_accommodation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Complete the Confidential Registration form<\/a>.\n<ul class=\"no-marker wp-block-list\">\n<li>** If you are currently registered with Disability Services, submit a <a href=\"https:\/\/monmouth-accommodate.symplicity.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Supplemental Request<\/a> in your Accommodate file.&nbsp;**<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/documents\/monmouth-university-service-and-esa-animals-on-campus-policy.pdf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Service and Emotional Support Animals Policy<\/a>. Once you understand the section about emotional support animals, complete and return the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/documents\/esa-process-and-procedure-form.pdf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Signature Form for Request Process &amp; Procedure<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complete the student part of the <strong>DDS Request for<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/documents\/monmouth-university-housing-sections-a-b-2023f.pdf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Student Housing Accommodations Sections A&amp;B<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide appropriate documentation by submitting a completed <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/documents\/monmouth-university-provider-form-esa-2023f.pdf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Disability Provider Information Form- ESA<\/a> <\/strong>documentation. <strong>This form must be completed by a licensed professional.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"no-marker wp-block-list\">\n<li>**In Section 6 on page 2 of the form, your clinician should note that you are requesting an ESA as a housing accommodation based on a disability related need\/diagnosis and the type of animal you are requesting.&nbsp; Since there is limited room in this section, they also need to submit a <strong>detailed rationale<\/strong> on their letterhead that includes information about the established relationship you have with the animal, length of time you\u2019ve owned the animal, its therapeutic value in the treatment of your diagnosis, and any other information that supports your request for this accommodation.**<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"no-marker wp-block-list\">\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In lieu of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/documents\/monmouth-university-provider-form-esa-2023f.pdf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Disability Provider Information Form- ESA<\/a> <\/strong>documentation<strong> <\/strong>form, students can submit a letter written by their treating licensed professional on letterhead stationary. Letter must include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nature of disability with formal diagnosis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A description including the type, severity, and frequency of symptoms currently experienced by the student and how the condition substantially limits with one or more major life activity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>State the rationale for the student need for an ESA on campus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Note whether or not practitioner is aware of an existing therapeutic relationship between the student and a specific animal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The animal\u2019s therapeutic value in treatment of your diagnosis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Suggestions of reasonable housing accommodations<strong>.<\/strong> Each recommendation must be supported by the diagnosis. Please discuss the rationale for each suggested accommodation relating it to a specific functional limitation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alternatives to meet the documented need if the first request cannot be met.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An explanation of how the student will manage symptoms in other campus settings where ESA is not allowed (i.e., classrooms, dining halls, libraries, etc.)?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"5\">\n<li>Meet with the DDS Disability Specialist either virtually or in person to discuss the request.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If approved, student must acknowledge either in writing or email the Monmouth University Policy and Procedure on Service and Emotional Support Animals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Once written acknowledgement of the policy is received, DDS will work with Residential Life to ensure all roommates and suite-mates are aware that an animal has been approved for the living space and all parties are in agreement with the arrangement. Additional arrangements may be required to address disability related concerns that arise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ESAs cannot be brought to university housing until DDS and Residential Life complete their processes.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"mailto:dds@monmouth.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Signature Form for Request Process &amp; Procedure<\/a><\/strong>, <strong>DDS Request for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/documents\/monmouth-university-housing-sections-a-b-2023f.pdf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Student Housing Sections A&amp;B,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/documents\/monmouth-university-provider-form-esa-2023f.pdf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Monmouth University Provider Form-ESA<\/a> <\/strong>and your clinician\u2019s <strong>detailed rationale<\/strong> can be scanned and emailed to <a href=\"mailto:dds@monmouth.edu\">dds@monmouth.edu<\/a>. &nbsp;In addition to the Department of Disability Services, your request may also be reviewed by the Office of Residential Life and the Office of the General Counsel.&nbsp; You will be contacted should it be determined that additional information\/documentation needs to be submitted.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the student does not agree with the determination made by DDS, the student has the option to file an appeal with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/equity-and-diversity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ADA\/504 Coordinator<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mu-contact has-image\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"imageWrapper\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image wp-post-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/203\/2022\/10\/Virtual-Tour-Student-Center_20170816_AD_002-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Student Center\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/203\/2022\/10\/Virtual-Tour-Student-Center_20170816_AD_002-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/203\/2022\/10\/Virtual-Tour-Student-Center_20170816_AD_002-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/203\/2022\/10\/Virtual-Tour-Student-Center_20170816_AD_002-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/203\/2022\/10\/Virtual-Tour-Student-Center_20170816_AD_002-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/203\/2022\/10\/Virtual-Tour-Student-Center_20170816_AD_002.jpg 1120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"nameAndTitle\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"name block-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/directory\/department\/disability-services-for-students\/\">Disability Services for Students<\/a><\/h2>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bioText\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"office\"><a href=\"\/map\/#location\/student-center\">Rebecca Stafford Student Center<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"phone\"><a href=\"tel:(732) 571-3460\">732-571-3460<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Intent: To outline the process of determining if a student is eligible to have an emotional support animal (ESA) in on University housing. Also notifying housing if a student is eligible. Accountability: The Director of DDS and all DDS professional staff, the ADA\/504 Coordinator and students with disabilities requesting DDS accommodations and support services. Applicability: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":449,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_mu_eop_enabled":false,"_mu_eop_name":"","_mu_eop_name_override":false,"_mu_eop_description":"","_mu_eop_description_override":false,"_mu_eop_url":"","_mu_eop_url_override":false,"_mu_eop_program_type":"","_mu_eop_educational_credential":"","_mu_eop_time_to_complete":"","_mu_eop_number_of_credits":"","_mu_eop_occupational_category":"","_mu_eop_occupational_category_code":"","_mu_eop_program_prerequisites":"","_mu_eop_application_deadline":"","_mu_eop_application_start_date":"","_mu_eop_start_date":"","_mu_eop_end_date":"","_mu_eop_day_of_week":"","_mu_eop_time_of_day":"","_mu_eop_educational_program_mode":"","_mu_eop_financial_aid_eligible":"","_mu_eop_maximum_enrollment":"","_mu_eop_offers_price":"","_mu_eop_offers_currency":"USD","_mu_eop_offers_price_per":"","_mu_eop_offers_preset":"","_mu_eop_salary_upon_completion":"","_mu_eop_training_salary":"","_mu_eop_recognized_by_name":"","_mu_eop_recognized_by_url":"","_mu_eop_concentrations":"","_mu_eop_identifier_cip":"","_mu_eop_provider_name":"","_mu_eop_provider_name_override":false,"_mu_eop_provider_url":"","_mu_eop_provider_address":"","_mu_eop_provider_city":"","_mu_eop_provider_state":"","_mu_eop_provider_zip":"","_mu_eop_provider_country":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1231","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/449"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1231"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1231\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1644,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1231\/revisions\/1644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/disability-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}