Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Owner Agreement

Shepherd University is committed to making reasonable accommodations to it rules, policies and practices as required by law to afford students with disabilities an equal opportunity to access housing and any associated amenities, including granting reasonable accommodations for Emotional Support Animals.

Definitions

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA), as defined by the Fair Housing Act (FHA), may provide a person: emotional support, calming, stability, and other kinds of support in a housing environment.
Owner: Student who has requested the accommodation and has received approval to bring the support animal on campus. Students cannot bring animals into housing without obtaining authorization from Accessibility Services.
Roommate/suitemate: A Shepherd University student who resides with the owner of an ESA. Must complete the ESA Roommate Agreement. The owner is responsible for sending this agreement to all students living in the same space.

Owner Responsibilities
No student may move into a residence hall with an ESA before they have received approval to be an owner from Accessibility Services.

The Owner is solely responsible for the care and custody of the ESA and must meet the following:

The Owner is required to ensure the animal is well cared for at all times.
Responsible for providing food and water to the ESA. Bowls of food and water should be placed on mats so that food and water do not get on the floor. Food for the animal should be kept in a closed container within the confines of the Owner's room. Open bags of food are not permissable, as they attract pest.
A support animal must be cleaned and well-groomed, and the owner should take measures to prevent fleas and odor control.
The ESA is restricted to the student's residence hall room. The ESA may not be taken to other spaces within the residence halls. Dogs are allowed outside for toileting and exercising and to be kept on a leash at all time while on university proprety.
The Owner is required to clean up after and properly dispose of the animal’s waste in a safe and sanitary manner. Indoor animal waste, such as cat litter, cedar chips, etc., must be placed in a sturdy plastic bag and tied securely before being disposed of in an outside trash receptacle. Animal waste may not be disposed of in sinks, toilet, or indoor trash receptacles. Litter boxes should be placed on mats so that feces and urine are not tracked onto carpeted surfaces. Litter boxes, cages, crates, or habitats may not be cleaned in college housing showers and sinks. Outdoor animal waste, such as dog feces, must be immediately retrieved by the Owner, placed in a plastic bag, and securely tied before being disposed of in an outside trash receptacle.

Owners may not transfer daily care responsibilities for their animal to another person. This includes all of the above stated responsibilities.

Shepherd University will not require any deposits or fees for ESAs. However, an owner may be charged for damage caused by the Emotional Support Animal to the same extent that Shepherd University would charge a person for room damage. The owner is responsible for any expenses incurred for cleaning above and beyond a standard cleaning or for any repairs to their space after they vacate. Owners must comply with the Shepherd University's housing contract and Code of Conduct rules regarding noise, safety, and cleanliness.

Shepherd University may revoke the student’s right to have an ESA on campus if there any violations, including but not limited to: improper care of the animal, the animal becomes a direct threat to the health and safety of others, the animal poses an undue burden to the administration, the animal poses a threat or causes damage to physical property, or the animal causes frequent disruption to other residence.

The owner should be prepared for any unforeseen events on campus, including power outages, fire/fire drills, or other events which may put the ESA at risk. ESA’s are required to be leashed or in carriers when evacuating the building, and the University is not responsible for any alteration of care during these events. ESA's cannot be left unattended overnight. The owner is responsible for making arrangments with the listed emergency contact to remove the animal from campus. Should the ESA need to be replaced, pass away or needs to be replaced, the owner must notify Accessibility Services. The Owner must follow established procedures for applying for a new ESA. The new ESA is not permitted on campus until a new Owner and Roommate agreement is completed, vet records have been sent, and has been approved by Accessibility Services.

Contact information must be provided for a designated person who will assume responsibility of emergency, accident or hospitalization. The emergency contact cannot be another Shepherd University student.

Animal Information
Dogs and cats must be at least six (6) months of age and must have received their first rabies vaccination before they can be approved by Accessibility Services.

The owner is not required but strongly encouraged to spay or neuter their ESA. If an ESA gives birth, the offspring may not be kept on campus for any reason.

Shepherd University may consider the following factors, among others, as evidence in determining whether the presence of the animal is reasonable or in the making of housing assignments for individuals with ESAs:

The size of the animal and/or the size of the available assigned housing space.
The animal's presence would force another individual from individual housing (e.g. serious allergies).
The animal's presence violates individual's right to peace and quiet.
The animal is not housebroken or is unable to live with others in a reasonable manner.
The animal's vaccinations are not up-to-date.
The animal poses or has posed in the past a direct threat such as aggressive behavior towards or injuring the individual or others.
The animal has caused or has caused excessive damage to housing beyond resonable wear and tear.

Owners is required to provide up-to-date vaccination records and updated housing placements when requested by Accessibility Services. Failure to do so can result in the removal of the animal.

Owner's Name*

First NameLast Name

Owner's Student ID *

Shepherd University Student ID Number (9-digits)

Shepherd E-mail Address*

Example: student01@rams.shepherd.com

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Residence Hall and Room Number*

Example: Potomac Place #302

Name of Animal*

Type of Animal*

Example: Dog, Cat, etc.

Breed*

Age of Animal*

Upload image of animal*

Name of Emergency Contact*

First NameLast Name

Emergency Contact Relationship to Owner (Cannot be a Shepherd University Student or Roommate)*

Emergency Contact Mobile Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Emergency Contact Email*

example@example.com

Owner Signature*

Accessibility Services Director Signature

This is completed by the director after students submit the form

Electronic Signature Agreement. By clicking the "Submit" button, you are signing these documents electronically. You agree your electronic signature is the legal equivalent of your manual signature on these documents. By selecting "submit" you consent to be legally bound by these document's terms and conditions. You further agree that your use of a key pad, mouse or other device to select an item, button, icon or similar act/action, regarding any agreement, acknowledgement, consent terms, disclosures or conditions constitutes your signature (hereafter referred to as "E-Signature"), acceptance and agreement as if actually signed by you in writing. You also agree that no certification authority or other third party verification is necessary to validate your E-Signature and that the lack of such certification or third party verification will not in any way affect the enforceability of your E-Signature or any resulting contract or agreement between you and Shepherd University.