Emotional Support Animal

Indiana Tech recognizes the importance of Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), supported by the Fair Housing Act. Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are animals that provide therapeutic emotional support for an individual with a diagnosed mental health disability. Unlike Service Animals trained to perform specific tasks that are important to the independence or safety of their disabled handler, Emotional Support Animals are generally not trained to perform disability-specific tasks. Their therapeutic support is a function of their presence and interaction with the person with a disability. Emotional Support Animals are not pets but animals commonly kept in households. An Emotional Support Animal may be a cat, dog, small bird, rabbit, hamster, gerbil, fish, or other small, domesticated animal traditionally kept in the home for pleasure.  

Indiana Tech Housing has a No Pet Policy. All animals brought to campus before approval will be considered a pet. Any student violating this policy will be fined and asked to remove the animal.

Step 1: Complete the online Emotional Support Animal Accommodation Request:

• AIM – Emotional Support Animal Request
• You will need to provide the following documents with your request:
  • Residence Hall Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Policy and Agreement 
  • Provider Verification Form

* Step 2: Specific Emotional Support Animal Request

(Paperwork provided by the Assistant Director of Accessibility Services after Step 1 approval.)

• Request for a Specific ESA
• Acknowledgment of ESA Owner Responsibilities and Housing Rules
• Emergency Contact Information Form
• Veterinarian Checklist Form.
• Photo of animal
• Pet License (The City of Fort Wayne requires all dogs and cats to have a pet license.)

Step 3: Emotional Support Animal is Welcomed to Campus

• Emotional Support Animal ID Card