Yale University Emotional Support Animal Policy
Yale University Main Takeaways:
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Students must contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at least 60 days before the semester to request an ESA accommodation.
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Medical documentation needed from a licensed healthcare provider to verify the need for an ESA.
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ESAs are only permitted in on-campus housing and must remain in the student’s designated residence area at all times.
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Dogs must be at least 10 months old and cats at least 6 months old; all animals must be spayed/neutered and vaccinated.
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Students are fully responsible for their ESA’s care, behavior, and any damages caused by the animal.
Yale University recognizes that emotional support animals provide individuals with disabilities enhanced autonomy and independence. Through Student Accessibility Services, Yale allows qualified students to keep emotional support animals in University housing as a reasonable accommodation. This policy ensures students with disabilities have equal access to housing while maintaining campus safety and community standards.
Legal Framework
Yale University’s emotional support animal policy complies with federal, state, and local laws protecting individuals with disabilities and ensuring equal access to housing. The key legal frameworks influencing this policy include:
Fair Housing Act (FHA)
The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on disability and requires reasonable accommodations. Emotional Support Animals that alleviate symptoms of a disability qualify as reasonable accommodations in housing, even where pets are otherwise prohibited.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA distinguishes between service animals and emotional support animals. Service animals, dogs trained to perform disability-related tasks, are generally permitted throughout campus. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support are not service animals under the ADA but may qualify as assistance animals under housing laws.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 prohibits disability discrimination in federally funded programs and requires reasonable accommodations, including emotional support animals in residential settings when medically necessary for equal access to housing and educational opportunities.
State and Local Laws
Yale complies with applicable Connecticut state laws regarding assistance animals and disability accommodations, providing protections for individuals with disabilities in housing and educational settings.
Who Qualifies for an Emotional Support Animal
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Assistance Animals (ESAs)
An Emotional Support Animal is defined as an animal that provides emotional support, comfort, or therapy that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. While dogs are the most common Emotional Support Animals, other animals may also serve as Emotional Support Animals.
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Service Animals
Service Animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. The work or tasks must be directly related to the person’s disability. Most common Service Animals, are dogs but under certain circumstances, a miniature horse may qualify. Service animals are permitted throughout campus.
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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.
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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: Submit Documentation
Contact Student Accessibility Service (SAS) at least 60 days prior to the semester start. Submit:
- Medical documentation from a reliable third party verifying the need for the ESA
- Emotional Support Animal Request for Information form (available from SAS)
- Written Animal Care Plan identifying two non-Yale housing residents who can care for the animal within 12 hours
- Written consent for SAS to disclose ESA information to relevant parties (Residential College staff, Facilities, Security, suitemates)
If a request is made less than 60 days before the term, the University cannot guarantee accommodations. Requests cannot be made once a semester has commenced.
Step 2: Review and Evaluation
SAS makes case-by-case determinations considering: animal size and housing space compatibility, potential conflicts with roommates’ health conditions (allergies), vaccination status, health or safety concerns, whether the animal is housebroken and suitable for communal living, and potential for excessive property damage.
Step 3: Approval and Notification
If approved, housing personnel notify roommates, suitemates, and neighboring residents. Approved animals must be housebroken and well-behaved. Dogs must be ≥10 months old and cats ≥6 months old. Dogs and cats must be spayed/neutered and have rabies vaccinations before living in university housing.
Responsibilities of ESA Owners
- Maintain full control of your animal at all times and provide all care at your expense (training, cleanup, waste disposal, hygiene, vaccinations, check-ups, licensing).
- Keep your ESA in your designated residence area at all times. When transported outside, use an animal carrier, leash, or harness.
- You are liable for all harm caused by your animal, including bodily injury, property damage, and pest control costs. Costs will be billed to your student account.
- Notify SAS in writing if the animal is no longer needed or in residence. File a new request to replace an animal.
- Permit scheduled pest inspections and pay for any necessary treatments beyond standard pest management.
- Take your animal when leaving campus overnight. Do not leave it with other residents. Yale personnel are not required to provide animal care.
Conflicting Needs and Resolutions
Students with medical conditions affected by animals (asthma, severe allergies) should contact SAS with health or safety concerns about exposure to approved animals. SAS may request medical documentation and will resolve conflicts in a timely manner, considering all persons’ needs. Alternative housing arrangements will be made where appropriate.
Important Considerations
- Generally, only one ESA per student will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
- Students remain obligated to fulfill housing contracts even if ESAs are removed from campus.
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