Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Click to view Mississippi State University’s full policy on Service, Emotional Support, and Therapy animals.

Service Animals

Service animals are trained to perform a specific action to assist a person with a disability, such as a dog that guides a visually impaired person or detects the onset of seizures. A service animal must be a dog or under certain circumstances, a miniature horse. With a small number of exceptions, service animals are permitted to accompany their handler in any publicly accessible area of MSU’s campuses, or in any area where the handler is permitted to be.

Important Information:

  • Service animals are not required to be registered with the DRC office.
  • A student can choose to register their service animal with the DRC.
  • An MSU ID card can be provided for the service animal.
  • Any animal, even those in-training, that is living the residence hall must provide proof of vaccinations. 

Emotional Support Animals

An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that is necessary to afford the person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy University housing. An ESA may provide physical assistance, emotional support, calming, stability and other kinds of assistance. ESAs do not perform work or tasks that would qualify them as “service animals” under the ADA. Unlike service animals, they generally are not permitted in other university buildings.

ESAs require advance approval. An assistance animal will not be permitted where it presents an undue financial or administrative burden, a threat to health, safety, or welfare, or requires a fundamental alteration of a university service or program. 

Important ESA Information:

  1. Only one ESA will be permitted per room/quad in a residence hall
  2. Students who are in violation of the Housing and Residence Life contract will no longer be permitted to have an ESA at MSU
  3. ESAs are not permitted in dining halls, academic buildings, or any other public spaces on campus.
  4. ESA that requires a heat lamp will not be approved.
  5. ESA must be current on vaccinations and have a clean bill of health from a veterinarian.
  6. Bringing an unapproved animal to campus is a violation of housing regulations and the student will be subject to disciplinary measures.
  7. Application for an ESA can be submitted anytime.
  8. ESA approvals can take up to 60 days.

How to Apply for an Emotional Support Animal:

  1. Download and fully complete the ESA Application.
  2. Submit an application for accommodations with Disability Resource Center. For instructions on how to apply, visit New to the DRC: Requesting Accommodations (create link) or Returning Students: Adding and Updating Accommodations (create link)
  3. Upload the following documents to your DRC application:
    • ESA Application which must include the following:
      • Completed Emotional Support Animal Request Form (pg. 5-6 of ESA Application Packet)
      • Student Agreement to ESA Policy (pg. 7 of ESA Application Packet) - This is consent allowing DRC/Housing and Residence Life staff to disclose info regarding the request for and presence of the ESA to those who may be impacted by the presence of the ESA, including Residence Life staff, actual and potential roommate(s), neighbor(s). Information will be limited to details about the animal.
      • Mental Health Provider Information Form (pg. 8-12 of ESA Application Packet) or submit separate letter or report including answers to all information requested on the Mental Health Provider Information Form. The provider should not be a family member.
    • Certification of Health of Animal from licensed veterinarian (completed within 60 days of request). This must include:
      • Annual health check-up
      • Description of pest treatments
      • Confirmation of current vaccinations for cats and dogs or any other animals requiring vaccinations
  • Current photo of the proposed emotional support animal

***All required documents must be submitted before the DRC will review the ESA application.

  1. The DRC will work in conjunction with Housing & Residence Life to review the ESA application.
  2. ESA application decision will be communicated via MSU email.
  3. If approved, the student will be required to meet with Housing and Residence Life review MSU's ESA guidelines and policies prior to moving the ESA into the residence hall.