An Emotional Support Animal (Comfort Animal) is an animal selected for an individual with a disability by a healthcare or mental health professional to play a significant part in a person’s treatment process, e.g., in alleviating the symptoms of that individual’s disability. A comfort animal does not assist a person with a disability with activities of daily living, and does not accompany a person with a disability at all times. An emotional support animal is not a “Service Animal.”
Based on guidance from the Americans with Disabilities Act, SMCM defines Service Animals as a dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities; in some situations, a miniature horse may also be a service animal (see following definition). Service animals do not need to wear any type of identifier such as a vest or tag. Service animals are working animals, not pets; the work they perform must be directly related to the individual’s disability, this includes a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.[1] A Service Animal is an extension of the handler. Emotional Support Animals, Therapy Animals, and Pets are distinctly different from a Service Animal. For more information on Service Animals and SMCM’s policy refer to the Student Handbook – To The Point.
An Emotional Support Animal may not reside in College housing without the approval of the Office of Accessibility Services. Visit the Comfort Animal Procedures to find out more or look below for more information.
Process of Obtaining Approval
- The owner must request permission to have an emotional support animal in their on-campus housing. A student looking to bring a comfort animal on campus must go through the accommodation process.
- See Procedures to request accommodations
- A third party provider should complete a Comfort Animal Form or provided a detailed letter in support of the request.
- If approved, the student must meet with the Office of Residence Life for further instructions on bringing their animal on campus.
- The student will be required to submit two forms to the Office of Residence Life:
- Animal Registration Form (one time form)
- Veterinarian Verification Form (every year)
- The Comfort Animal Procedures must be carefully reviewed by the student.
- The willingness of roommates to share their housing with an animal and the effect of persons with allergies to animal hair or dander will be considered. Depending on considerations, an alternative housing assignment may be considered. Roommates may be contacted to indicate that they have agreed to live with an animal.
Responsibilities of Students as Pet Owners
- Must ensure that the animal has annual veterinary visits.
- The animal must be under the control of the owner/handler at all times, and must be restrained by a leash or other appropriate device that does not exceed 6 feet in length.
- The animal must be licensed and fully inoculated in accordance with St. Mary’s County regulations, if such licensing is required by St. Mary’s County, with the burden of proving licensure and inoculation status on the owner.
- Must carry equipment to clean up feces while on College property. Feces must be cleaned up immediately and disposed of properly.
- The animal must wear a tag indicating that they are licensed in St. Mary’s County (dogs only).
- Owners are solely responsible for arrangements for the care of the animal at all times. The owner may be required to leave College facilities or grounds when their animal is ill. Ill animals should not be taken into public areas.
- Must regularly bathe the animal to avoid significant odors, shedding and fleas. Owners with animals that are unclean or unkempt may be required to leave the College facilities/grounds.
- Will be held responsible for any damage or injuries caused by the animal to persons or property.
For further information, students should contact the Office of Residential Life.
Responsibilities of Members of the College Community
- Must ask the owner before petting or playing with the animal.
- Get to know the animals in your community and their owners.
- Make sure the animal is well cared for.
- Must voice concerns to Residence Life if worried about the well-being of the animal.
- Must voice concerns to Residence Life if worried about the safety of yourself or those around you because of the animal.