Service & Emotional Support Animals (ESA)

Process for Requesting an ESA Accommodation

To request an emotional support animal (ESA) accommodation under current California law and federal guidance you must meet the following criteria:

1. Established Therapeutic Relationship: You must have an active, documented therapeutic relationship with your licensed mental health professional.
2. Obtain an ESA Letter or complete the Housing Documentation Form : Your provider will issue and ESA letter on their official letterhead, including license number and contact information for verification. The letter will not be accepted if an established therapeutic relationship is not present. The letter must:
   • Verify your disability
   • Explain the disability related barrier
   • Show how an ESA addresses the barrier as part of an on-going treatment plan with no alternatives   
3. Complete the Housing Application and Submit Documentation: Applications received after the housing application deadline will be considered for the following semester. 
   Housing Application
4. Reapply annually: Updated documentation is required.

Note: Requests for an ESA are reviewed individually. Pitzer considers safety risks, property damage, functional limitations, and whether the student can care for the animal. If approved, you must complete an ESA Agreement that includes:

• Acknowledging responsibilities and conditions
• Supplying veterinary records
• Acquiring room/suitemate signatures

Do not bring your ESA to campus until approval is granted. Any animal found in campus housing will be removed and the animal will not be considered for approval. 

Service Animals

A service animal is defined as: Any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. The work or task that the dog performs must be directly related to the individual’s disability.
The following animals are not considered service animals under titles II and III of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA):

• Any animal besides dogs (though there are special provisions permitting miniature horses in some cases);
• Animals that serve solely to provide a crime deterrent effect, and
• Emotional support, comfort, or companion animals.

The regulations also provide that Pitzer College need not accommodate a service animal if it poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others, the owner cannot effectively control it, or if the animal is not housebroken.