Georgetown University Emotional Support Animal Policy

Georgetown University Main Takeaways:

Students must submit accommodation requests through the Academic Resource Center (ARC) with complete healthcare provider documentation.
Documentation from a licensed healthcare provider is required to verify your disability and the need for an emotional support animal.
ESA requests should be submitted by the early action deadline of January 15 for priority housing assignments before general selection.
Students must provide DC-required documentation (vaccinations, licenses) and sign emotional support animal agreement guidelines.
ESAs are permitted in residential housing but do not have campus-wide access like service animals.

Georgetown University is committed to making appropriate adjustments that afford all students access to University facilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Fair Housing Act. Students with disabilities may request emotional support animals (ESAs) in University housing as a reasonable accommodation. This policy outlines the criteria for qualifying for an ESA, the application process, and the responsibilities of students who are approved to have an ESA in their residence.

Legal Framework

Georgetown University’s Emotional Support Animal (ESA) policy is shaped by federal laws and regulations designed to protect individuals with disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to educational opportunities and housing accommodations. The key legal frameworks influencing this policy include:

Fair Housing Act (FHA)
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
State and Local Laws

Fair Housing Act (FHA)

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or disability. Under the FHA, individuals with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations in housing, which may include the right to keep an ESA, even in buildings or residences that otherwise prohibit pets. Housing providers must evaluate requests for assistance animals and provide accommodations when the person has a disability and a disability-related need for the animal.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) primarily governs public spaces and services, it is crucial to understand its distinction between Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals. The ADA defines a service animal as any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. ESAs, which provide emotional support that alleviates one or more symptoms or effects of a person’s disability, are not granted the same public access rights under the ADA. As such, ESAs are not allowed in Georgetown’s non-residential buildings (e.g., classrooms, dining halls) under ADA guidelines but are accommodated in housing under the FHA.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 504 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs and activities, including those offered by federally funded educational institutions like Georgetown University. Under Section 504, the university must provide reasonable accommodations, including allowing ESAs in residential housing when necessary to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to university programs and activities.

State and Local Laws

In addition to federal regulations, Washington DC has specific laws that provide additional protections for individuals with disabilities and their emotional support animals. The DC Human Rights Act of 1977 provides protections similar to the Fair Housing Act for DC residents with disabilities, prohibiting housing discrimination based on disability. The DC Office of Human Rights enforces these protections and handles discrimination complaints related to assistance animals in housing. Moreover, the DC Office of Disability Rights (ODR) also provides assistance to students with understanding their rights under both federal and DC laws regarding emotional support animals. Georgetown University ensures that its ESA policy is in full compliance with all relevant DC and local regulations, providing a supportive environment for all students while meeting local legal requirements.

Who Qualifies for an Emotional Support Animal

Assistance Animals (ESAs)

Students with disabilities may keep an ESA in their University housing if the animal is necessary to afford them an equal opportunity to use and enjoy campus housing. ESAs are working animals that provide emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. The relationship between the disability and the need for the ESA must be documented, and approval must be obtained from the Academic Resource Center (ARC).
Service Animals

Students with disabilities may keep a Service Animal if the animal is individually trained to do work or perform tasks directly related to the student’s disability such as guiding blind people, alerting people who are deaf, or reminding people with psychiatric conditions to take medications. Service Animals have broader campus access rights under the ADA compared to ESAs and can accompany their handlers to classrooms, dining halls, and other campus facilities.

Assistance Animals (ESAs)

Students with disabilities may keep an ESA in their University housing if the animal is necessary to afford them an equal opportunity to use and enjoy campus housing. The relationship between the disability and the need for the ESA must be documented, and approval must be obtained from the ODS.
Service Animals

Students with disabilities may keep a Service Animal in their dormitory or rental unit, as well as other venues on campus, if the animal is trained to perform tasks directly related to the student’s disability. Service Animals do not require prior approval but must be registered with the Office of Disability Services (ODS).

Application Process for an ESA

Step 1: Contact the Academic Resource Center (ARC)

Students who require an emotional support animal begin the process by contacting the Academic Resource Center. Students should submit their accommodation request as early as possible after November 1, with an early action deadline of January 15 for priority housing assignments.

Step 2: Submit Required Documentation

Students must complete the ARC accommodation request form and provide supporting documentation from a licensed healthcare provider that meets University documentation guidelines.

The healthcare provider documentation must include:

Verification that the student has a disability (physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities)
A statement explaining the disability-related need for the emotional support animal
Confirmation that the animal provides emotional support that alleviates one or more symptoms or effects of the student’s disability

Step 3: Review and Evaluation

The Academic Resource Center will review the student’s request form and documentation from their healthcare provider to make an accommodation decision. An ARC administrator may request to meet with the student if they have questions or need additional information.

This process may include consultations with university health professionals. Upon completing the review, the ARC will send a decision to the student via email.

Step 4: Approval and Notification

If the request is approved, the ARC will notify the Office of Residential Living regarding the accommodation and work with the student to find appropriate campus housing. Students who complete requests by the early action deadline (January 15) will receive housing assignments in mid-March, before general housing selection begins.

The Office of Residential Living will request that the student submit DC-required documentation (vaccinations, licenses, etc.) and sign the emotional support animal agreement guidelines before the animal can move into housing.

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Responsibilities of ESA Owners

Students are responsible for providing all required DC documentation, including current vaccinations and licenses for their emotional support animal. All dogs in Washington DC must be licensed under DC Code §8-1804.
Students must sign and comply with Georgetown’s emotional support animal agreement guidelines, which outline specific care, behavioral, and liability requirements.
Students are fully responsible for the care, supervision, and behavior of their ESA in residential housing.
ESAs must not disturb other residents or interfere with the routine activities of the residence hall.
Students are responsible for any damage caused by their ESA and may be held liable for costs associated with repairs or cleaning.
Students must ensure their ESA meets health and hygiene standards appropriate for campus housing.

Conflicting Needs and Resolutions

Georgetown University is committed to accommodating both ESA owners and other residents who may have conflicting needs, such as allergies or phobias. Individuals with medical conditions that may be affected by the presence of an ESA should contact the Academic Resource Center to discuss possible accommodations. The university will work to find a balanced solution that meets the needs of all parties involved, which may include alternative housing arrangements.

Important Considerations

Students seeking the same accommodation they received in the past do not need to submit additional documentation but still need to submit a new request each year.
While requests for housing accommodations are accepted after the January 15 early action deadline, housing options may be limited, and the requested accommodation may not be immediately available. These requests are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Students seeking housing accommodations are encouraged to participate in the general housing selection process until their accommodation request is processed.