The School of Social Work’s policy on emotional support animals (ESAs) is based on current university policies and current legislation around ESAs. As these policies/laws change, we will modify our current policy as needed.
Policy: Given the host of challenges ESAs in classrooms may present, it is not considered a reasonable accommodation at this time to permit emotional support animals into SSW classrooms, clinical sites and other campus locations outside of housing. While the SSW recognizes the importance of ESAs for some student learners, the health and safety risks for other student learners when ESAs are in the classroom is too great. Regarding field placements, field placement sites have their own policies related to ESAs and students would need to follow the field placement site policies.