Emotional Support Animals (ESA's) provide emotional support that helps alleviate one or more symptoms of a diagnosed mental health or psychiatric disability.
Occidental College maintains a no-pets policy in residence halls. However, in accordance with the Fair Housing Act (FHA), the College will consider requests for housing accommodations to allow students with documented mental health disabilities to reside with an approved Emotional Support Animal (ESA).
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) may include a dog, cat, small bird, rabbit, hamster, gerbil, fish, or other small, domesticated animal traditionally kept in the home. Animals that pose health or safety risks, including zoonotic disease concerns or challenges with safe containment in a communal living environment, will generally not be approved.
Dogs must typically be at least 9 months old to be approved for campus housing, ensuring they are housebroken, not disruptive, and up to date on all required vaccinations.
Due to the communal living environment of residence halls, the College must consider the comfort and well-being of all students. ESA's are not permitted on campus until an accommodation request has been submitted and formally approved. Students found with unauthorized animals in campus housing may be subject to disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct.
ESA requests must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the student’s intended move-in date to allow sufficient time for review and planning. This policy outlines the process for requesting approval to bring one Emotional Support Animal into campus housing. In general, only one ESA is permitted per student and per residence hall room or unit.
- To begin the process, students must complete the Request for Accommodation Form and provide supporting documentation from their current treating provider.
- Documentation for an ESA must come from a licensed mental health provider in California or the student’s home state. Please share our ESA Provider Form with your current treating provider to ensure all necessary information is included for evaluation.
- The documentation should detail your significant mental health impairment and explain how the ESA helps alleviate your symptoms. It must come from a provider familiar with your condition who can provide a clear, informed assessment.
- Once we have received all required documentation, the student will meet with a Disability Services staff member to determine eligibility and review the ESA Policy and Agreement Form.
📌 Note: Occidental College is aware of numerous online services that offer “ESA letters” based on brief surveys. These letters typically lack the detailed information needed to support accommodation requests and are not considered reliable by the College. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating such websites, as their providers often lack the personal knowledge required to make accurate disability determinations.