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Student Access & Accommodation
Student Access & Accommodation

Emotional Support Animal Checklist

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Contact the TCU Student Access and Accommodation office (“SAA”) at 817-257-6567 to:

    1. Schedule an Intake Interview with a Disabilities Specialist;
    2. Obtain the Emotional Support Animal Policy and Procedures for University Residence Halls;
    3. Obtain the Checklist for Requesting Emotional Support Animal in TCU University Housing.

Concurrent with the request made to Student Access & Accommodation notify the TCU Office of Housing and Residence Life (HRL) that you are requesting an ESA as an accommodation in University housing.

Carefully read the TCU Emotional Support Animal Policy & Procedures for University Residence Halls. Consider: 

  1. Assess whether you believe you are an individual with a mental health or psychiatric disability, and;
  2. Whether you are willing to undertake the responsibilities which would arise if you are granted permission to have the animal in University housing.

Contact your current qualified diagnostic and treatment professional (including, but not limited to, a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or other professional with training and expertise in the diagnosis of mental health concerns:.

Ask the provider to:

  • Prepare and sign a letter on official letterhead;
  • Submit the documentation directly to the SAA office via mail, fax, or email.

Please note:  It is not appropriate for professionals to evaluate family members. The medical specialist must be an impartial individual not related to the student or parents nor in business partnership with the student or parents. 

1. Complete the on-line application, if one has not already been submitted.

2. Submit supporting documentation to SAA.

Documentation submitted must contain sufficient information that complies with the TCU documentation guidelines for mental health: 

  • Please review the Mental Health Documentation Guidelines  for guidance on the information required.
  • The documentation/letter must address each of the following items:
    • Does the student have a mental health diagnosis/impairment that substantially limits at least one major life activity?
    • When did you last treat this individual? When is your next scheduled appointment? Have you treated this student on a regular basis? How long have you been treating this student?
    • How did the treatment provider arrive at this diagnosis and/or determine the student’s current functional limitations related to their disability?
    • Verification that the animal is an ESA, i.e., that it provides emotional support that alleviates one or more of the identified symptoms or effects of the student’s existing mental or psychiatric disability.
    • Verification that the student can responsibly care for the ESA.
    • Information on whether the ESA has helped the student in the past, and if so, how.

Student Access and Accommodation will request a follow-up meeting via student's TCU email to discuss the Documentation Review Committee's decision on whether an ESA was approved or not. 

If the request for an Emotional Support Animal is approved:

  • The Disability Specialist will prepare the Letter of Housing Accommodation and email a copy of it to the HRL Office.
  • HRL will follow-up with student via their TCU email regarding next steps.

If the request for an Emotional Support Animal is not approved:

  • If any further follow up is needed (additional information, etc.) you will need to speak with a Disability Specialist to find out what is needed.

You will receive the following from HRL:

  • Emotional Support Animal Registration Form;
  • Emotional Support Animal Owner Statement and Agreement.

You must:

  1. Take the animal to a veterinarian to receive all necessary shots and vaccinations. Obtain documentation from the veterinarian of this.
  2. Obtain a license for the animal from the City of Fort Worth (as applicable) or provide proof of microchip.
  3. Take a picture of the animal for identification.
  4. Decide on a person who would be an alternative caregiver for the animal, in case of emergency. Contact that person to make sure s/he is willing to fulfill that role. Caregiver must live in the DFW Metroplex and within 25 miles of the University, but not in TCU housing.

Deliver to the Housing and Residence Life office the following: 

  1. Veterinarian documentation.
  2. The City of Fort Worth license or provide proof of microchip.
  3. The picture of the animal
  4. The completed and signed Emotional Support Animal Registration Form. 
  5. Read and sign the Emotional Support Animal Owner Statement and Agreement.

Housing and Residence Life will finalize the process with the student and notify the student when the animal has been approved to come to campus.