Emotional Support Animals

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are permitted in Seahawk Landing with approval from the Office of Disability Services. An ESA provides comfort or emotional support for someone with a mental health condition or emotional disorder. An ESA is not a service animal, and therefore, is not allowed in other campus buildings or facilities. The Office for Disability Services (ODS) works together with the Dean of Student Services and the Management of Seahawk Landing to review all requests for ESAs.

In order to be considered, the request for an ESA must be prescribed by a mental health professional for a patient with a diagnosed psychological or emotional disorder. Documentation Guidelines can be provided by the ODS Coordinator. Students who make requests for ESAs are requesting reasonable accommodations for a disability and must complete and submit the required documentation to begin the process of evaluating their accommodation request. The student must request accommodations through the ODS, located in the Madison Monroe Education Building, Room 231B | Schedule Appointment | 409-984-6241.

The student must also complete the ESA Owner’s Registration Form, including a written statement from the student that gives a connection between the disability and how the ESA provides a therapeutic benefit.

All documentation is considered confidential and will not be readily shared with LSCPA’s faculty or staff. Relevant information will be shared with the Dean of Student Services if there is a formal complaint submitted because the student/owner is not following ESA policy and procedures.

The student is responsible for submitting an official Accommodation Letter provided by the Office of Disability Services to the manager of Seahawk Landing each semester.

Service Animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended (ADAAA) are not subject to this policy.

No animal will be allowed in Seahawk Landing that:

• Has not been approved by the Office of Disability Services
• Poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others
• Would cause damage to the property of LSCPA and Seahawk Landing or other residents
• Would fundamentally change the operating procedures of Seahawk Landing.
• Cause an undue burden on the management and staff of Seahawk Landing or other residents