Emotional Support Animals

A student who seeks to bring an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) or Therapy animal, into on campus housing, a NMSU classroom, laboratory, or other learning environment as an accommodation is required to register with the Disability Access Services office and follow the process for obtaining academic and/or housing accommodations.

The student will need to complete and submit a Housing/ESA Accommodation Application for accommodations, submit the ESA Verification Form, and participate in an interactive interview to discuss supporting documentation and barriers the emotioanl support animal will mitigate. Specific information that should be included in the submitted documentation includes:  

1. whether the student has a physical or mental health impairment
2. whether the student’s impairment substantially limits a major life activity or major bodily function; 
3. whether the student needs the eotional support animal either because it performs works or tasks for the student with the disability or because it provides therapeutic emotional support to alleviate a symptom or effect of the disability and is not merely a pet; and
4. the healthcare professional must sign and date the document verifying their licensure and credentials.

Documentation obtained online may not be sufficient to establish the need for an emotional support animal as an accommodation.

An emotional support animal cannot be brought on campus housing until it is approved through the Disability Access Services office. Be advised that students are required to have a tag for their approved ESA issued by the DAS office. Approved ESA's must be wearing the tag at all times.

Service Animals