{"id":2406,"date":"2022-02-28T22:30:12","date_gmt":"2022-02-28T22:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stmarytx.edu\/policies\/?post_type=studevp&p=2406"},"modified":"2026-01-21T21:11:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T21:11:59","slug":"emotional-support-animals","status":"publish","type":"student-development","link":"https:\/\/www.stmarytx.edu\/policies\/student-development\/emotional-support-animals\/","title":{"rendered":"Emotional Support Animals (ESA)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Purpose:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

St. Mary\u2019s University allows resident students who complete and submit the appropriate documentation to have an emotional support animal (ESA) in University-sponsored housing facilities. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development<\/a> describes emotional support animals as animals that provide therapeutic emotional support that alleviates one or more identified effects of a person\u2019s disability. An ESA is not a pet. The San Antonio Code of Ordinances, Chapter 5 \u2013 Animals<\/a>, prohibits keeping certain animals and species within the City of San Antonio including, but not limited to: monkeys and other non-human primates, wolf hybrids, coyotes foxes, exotic cats, bears, skunks, raccoons, miniature Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, poisonous reptiles, crocodiles and related species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resident students must review the guidelines outlined herein and submit the information requested, including completing the attached ESA Form to the Office of Student Accessibility Services<\/a>, before bringing an ESA on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the documents are completed and submitted, staff will review the information provided and contact the student about the next steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emotional Support Animal Documentation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. The credentials of a reliable third-party health care professional.
    <\/strong>Documentation should be typed and submitted on official letterhead by a qualified health care professional who is licensed in the area for which the diagnosis is made and who is licensed in the student\u2019s home state or in Texas.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The provider must have an ongoing therapeutic relationship with the student over a period of 3 months or more. Their name, title, specialty, license or certification credentials, license number, and provider\u2019s contact information must be included on the documentation submitted to the Office of Student Accessibility Services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Current documentation.
      <\/strong>Documentation for a mental health or psychiatric condition(s) should be completed within the last year. Please include a description of the diagnostic tests, methods, and\/or criteria used, including specific test results and the examiner’s narrative.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. A diagnosis of the disability or disabilities.
      <\/strong>The use of DSM-IV-TR or DSM 5 diagnosis code criteria and a narrative from the provider is necessary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. In addition to the clinical letter, the reliable third party must answer the questions on the ESA form (linked below).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Note: There are individuals and organizations that sell ESA certification or registration documents online. These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Conditions for Keeping an Emotional Support Animal in University Housing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n