Housing Accommodations

The Fair Housing Act requires that Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) be considered a reasonable accommodation in campus housing. The mere presence of an ESA alleviates symptoms of an individual’s disability. While ESAs can be powerful forms of treatment, they are unlike other forms of treatment such as specific therapies or medications. Therefore, students requesting an ESAs must follow the steps below to substantiate the request.  

1. Fill out the Welcome Form on the OARS Portal  
2. Provide documentation supporting the request for an ESA. Documentation should:  

• Be on professional letterhead from the appropriate licensed provider who has been treating your disability on an ongoing basis,   
• Indicate your diagnosis,  
• Indicate why the ESA is recommended and how it mitigates symptoms of your disability,  
• Include the professional’s credential information, signature, and the date signed, and  
• The provider must be licensed to practice in NC or your home state.  

3. Complete a Housing Application. 

• Any questions regarding the Housing Application should be directed to Housing and Residence Life at [email protected] or 336.334.5680. 

4. Complete the Special Housing Accommodation Form located on the Housing and Residence Life website.  
5. Students requiring ESAs on campus should make their requests at least 45 days (about 2 months) before moving on campus. Requests made less than 45 days before moving on campus may be deferred until the following semester.  

Please note:  

• Documentation from a provider with whom you have no treatment history may not be appropriate to verify the need for an ESA. In other words, a one-time contact with a therapist may be insufficient to establish disability. 
• Calling a therapist you’ve never met with and requesting an ESA letter does not demonstrate the need for an ESA.   
• Picking up an animal from a shelter, etc., does not demonstrate that the animal alleviates symptoms. The owner must be able to describe how the animal has assisted in alleviating their disability/ mental health symptoms over time.   

Approved ESAs must:  

• Non-disruptive (no excessive barking, howling, sniffing or others invading the personal space of others, etc.), 
• Fully house-trained, and 
• Old enough to have required rabies and other vaccinations for its species.  
• In most cases, must have a demonstrated history of mitigating disability-related symptoms. 

ESA Removal:  

• Any animal that repeatedly violates the requirements must be removed from campus until it is fully trained.  
• If an animal must be removed from campus, the owner must consult with OARS to seek reapproval before bringing it back to campus.  
• If you choose to bring a different animal than the one originally approved, you must consult with OARS to seek approval for the new animal. 
• Any detrimental action of an ESA is the responsibility of the owner. For example, if your ESA chews up your roommates $600 Chemistry textbook, you must buy them another of equal quality.   

In accordance with State law, service animals assisting students with disabilities are permitted in all facilities where students are allowed of the university.

NOTE: If you see someone with a dog and want to determine if it is a service animal, at this time, there are only TWO questions that may be legally asked:

1. Is this a service dog needed due to a disability? 

a. If “YES,” you may not ask about the disability, nor for any verification.

b. If “NO,” you may continue with further questions, e.g., “Has this dog been approved to be in this location with you as an accommodation for a disability?” In this case, feel free to check with OARS for verification.

2. If YES to #1, then: What task is it trained to perform? (You may not ask for a demonstration.)

If it is obvious that the dog is a service dog (e.g., Guide Dog), no questions may be asked. A service dog is not required to wear identification as a service dog. Any such verification is not proof that the dog is a service dog and is not recognized by either the ADA or the DOJ.

• A Service Dog is a working animal. The service dog and its owner are a working team. A service dog remains with its owner while the service dog is working.
• Do Not Pet the service dog when it is working. Petting distracts the dog from its job and the owner could get hurt. Also, don’t call the service dog by name when it is working as this, too, is distracting.
• Do not offer the service dog food or other distracting treats without the owner’s permission.
• Service dog owners want dog lovers to know it’s not all work and no play for service dogs. There are times when it is okay to pet a service dog. Typically, the dog is considered on-duty if wearing a harness (although the dog may be on-duty and not wearing a harness; it may be leash or voice-controlled). When off-duty, the service dog is playing and is just an ordinary dog. However, please ask the service dog owner if it is okay for you to join in before you start playing with the service dog.
• Service dog owners do not want people to be afraid of their service dogs. Service dogs are well trained and under their owners’ command. Sometimes a service dog will make a mistake and must be corrected to maintain its training. This correction usually involves a verbal admonishment coupled with a leash correction. Service dog owners learn the appropriate correction methods to use with their dogs.
• Service dogs go where their owners go: inside campus buildings and offices, inside the residence halls and rooms, in classrooms, in public restrooms, and in the cafeteria, for example. When the student service dog owner is seated, the service dog will stay by the student’s side. The service dog will sit at the student’s feet, next to the student’s chair, or sometimes – if the service dog can fit – underneath the student’s chair. Occasionally, a service dog is trained to provide pressure therapy to the owner. In such cases, the animal may appear to jump on the student or need to jump on adjacent furniture to perform this task. Others may be small and carried in chest packs to be able to detect changes in insulin levels, heart rate, etc. 
• Service dogs will not interfere with introductions or friendships. Service dog owners learn to care for their service dogs: to feed, bathe, and clean up after them.
• Please contact OARS at 336/334-5440 if you have questions or concerns about service dogs at UNCG. Remember: don’t pet the service dog when it is working.

Students who need Personal Care Attendants (PCA) should contact OARS for additional information. Students Requiring Personal Care Attendants in the residence halls must inform OARS and Housing and Residence Life. A background check will be completed on the personal care attendant prior to providing access to the residence halls to comply with UNCG Policy.