Carleton College is committed to allowing Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) that are necessary to provide individuals with mental health disabilities equal opportunities to use and enjoy College housing. This Policy explains the specific requirements applicable to an individual’s use of an ESA in College housing. The College reserves the right to amend this Policy at any time as circumstances require. This policy applies solely to ESAs that may be necessary in College housing. It does not apply to Service Animals as defined under applicable law and guidance.

Although it is the policy of Carleton College that individuals are prohibited from having animals of any type in College housing, Carleton College will consider a request by an individual with a disability for a reasonable accommodation from this prohibition to allow an ESA that is reasonable and necessary because of a mental health disability. However, no ESA may be kept in College housing at any time prior to the individual receiving approval as a reasonable accommodation pursuant to this Policy.  

Carleton College will accept and consider requests for reasonable accommodation in campus housing at any time. The individual making the request for accommodation should complete and submit an accommodation request form to the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) as soon as practicably possible before moving into or returning to campus housing. However, if the request for accommodation is made fewer than 30 days before the individual intends to move into or return to campus housing, Carleton College cannot guarantee that it will be able to meet the individual’s accommodation needs during the same term of occupancy.

I. Definitions


A. Emotional Support Animal (ESA)

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that provides therapeutic emotional support for an individual with a diagnosed mental health disability.  Unlike Service Animals that are trained to perform specific tasks that are important to the independence or safety of their disabled handler, ESAs 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.  ESAs are not pets, but they typically are animals commonly kept in households as pets.  An ESA may be a cat, dog, small bird, rabbit, hamster, gerbil, fish, or other small, domesticated animal that is traditionally kept in the home for pleasure.  

The question in determining if an ESA will be allowed in College housing is whether or not the ESA is necessary because of the individual’s disability to afford the individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy College housing, and whether its presence in College housing is reasonable. However, even if the individual with a disability establishes the necessity for an ESA and it is allowed in College housing, an ESA is not permitted in other areas of the College (e.g. dining facilities, libraries, academic buildings, athletic buildings and facilities, classrooms, labs, individual centers, etc.).

B. Owner

The “Owner,” in keeping with Northfield, MN animal ordinances, is the person  owning, harboring or keeping an animal. Because Carleton otherwise prohibits animals on campus, the College further defines “Owner” as the individual who has requested the accommodation AND has received approval from OAR to bring an ESA into College housing.

C. The Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR)

OAR collaborates with students, faculty, and staff to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to all Carleton College programs and activities.

II. Procedures For Requesting an ESA in College housing

The procedure for requesting an ESA follows the general procedures set forth in the Reasonable Accommodation Policy for College Housing (“Reasonable Accommodation Policy”) and the requirements set forth below. However, to the extent the requirements and procedures in this Policy conflict with the Reasonable Accommodation Policy, this Policy controls.

III. General Criteria for Determining If Presence of the ESA is Reasonable

  1. College housing is unique in many aspects, including the mandatory assignment of roommates for many individuals and the mandate that individuals must share a room or suite in certain residence halls. To ensure that the presence of an ESA is not an undue administrative burden or fundamental alteration of college housing, Carleton College reserves the right to assign an individual to live in settings or with roommates as needed to accommodate the student’s ESA. 
  2. For requests for ESAs, OAR may consult with Residence Life in making a determination on a case-by-case basis of whether the presence of an ESA is reasonable. A request for an ESA may be denied as unreasonable if the presence of the animal: (1) imposes an undue financial and/or administrative burden; (2) fundamentally alters College housing policies; and/or (3) poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others or would cause substantial property damage to the property of others, including College property.
  3. In assessing reasonableness of an ESA request, the College may consider whether the animal has already served the student in this capacity and demonstrated therapeutic benefit for the student for some time.
  4. The age of the animal may be taken into consideration.
  5. OAR, in consultation with Residence Life, may also consider the following factors, among others, as evidence in determining whether or not the presence of the animal is reasonable and in making or altering, if necessary, the housing assignments for individuals with an ESA:
  • The space needed for the cage/crate in which the animal will be housed is too large for available assigned housing space;
  • The animal’s presence would force another individual from individual housing (e.g. serious allergies);
  • The animal’s presence otherwise violates individuals’ right to peace and quiet enjoyment;
  • 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 health risks from zoonotic diseases or safety concerns regarding containment that cannot be sufficiently mitigated for inclusion in the communal living setting;
  • The animal poses or has posed in the past a direct threat to the individual or others such as aggressive behavior towards or injuring the individual or others;
  • The animal causes or has caused excessive damage to housing beyond reasonable wear and tear.
  • The owner does not abide by the college policy for the care of the animal including proper disposal of waste.

Carleton College will not limit room assignments for individuals with an ESA to any particular building or buildings because of the individual needs an ESA. As noted, however, Residential Life retains the right to alter room and/or roommate assignments as appropriate.

IV. Access to College Facilities By ESAs

A. Assignment to Owner’s Unit

An ESA must be contained within the Owner’s privately assigned individual living accommodations (i.e. dorm room) except to the extent the Owner is taking the animal out for natural relief. When an ESA is outside the private individual living accommodations, it must be in an animal carrier or controlled by a leash or harness. ESAs are not allowed in any College facilities other than the College residence hall to which the individual is assigned.

B. Dominion and Control

Notwithstanding the restrictions set forth herein, the ESA must be properly housed and restrained or otherwise under the dominion and control of the Owner at all times. No Owner shall permit the animal to go loose or run at large. If an ESAis found running at large, the animal is subject to capture, confinement and/or immediate removal from College housing.

V. Owner’s Responsibilities for ESA

If the College grants an Owner’s request to live with an ESA, the Owner is solely responsible for the custody and care of the animal and must meet the following requirements:

A. General Responsibilities

  1. The Owner must abide by current city, county, and state ordinances, laws, and/or regulations pertaining to licensing, vaccination, and other requirements for animals. It is the Owner’s responsibility to know and understand these ordinances, laws, and regulations. The College has the right to require documentation of compliance with such ordinances, laws, and/or regulations, which may include a vaccination certificate. The College reserves the right to request documentation showing that the animal has been licensed.
  2. The Owner is required to clean up after and properly dispose of the animal’s waste in outdoor receptacles only and, when provided, must use animal relief areas designated by the College.
  3. The ESA and associated enclosures will not be bathed/washed using residence hall facilities.
  4. The Owner is required to ensure the animal is well cared for at all times. Any evidence of mistreatment or abuse may result in immediate removal of the ESA and/or discipline for the responsible individual.
  5. Carleton College will not ask for or require an individual with a disability to pay a fee or surcharge for an approved ESA.
  6. An individual with a disability may be charged for any damage caused by their ESA beyond reasonable wear and tear to the same extent that it charges other individuals for damages beyond reasonable wear and tear. The Owner’s living accommodations may also be inspected for fleas, ticks or other pests if necessary as part of the College’s standard or routine inspections. If fleas, ticks or other pests are detected through inspection, the residence will be treated using approved fumigation methods by a College-approved pest control service. The Owner will be billed for the expense of any pest treatment above and beyond standard pest management in the residence halls. The College shall have the right to bill the Owner’s account for unmet obligations under this provision.
  7. The Owner must fully cooperate with College personnel with regard to meeting the terms of this Policy and following procedures for care of the animal (e.g., cleaning the animal, feeding/watering the animal, designating an outdoor relief area, disposing of feces, etc.).
  8. ESAs may not be left overnight in College housing to be cared for by any individual other than the Owner. If the Owner is to be absent from their residence hall overnight or longer, the animal must accompany the Owner. The Owner is responsible for ensuring that the ESA is contained/crated when the Owner is not present during the day while attending classes or other activities.
  9. The Owner agrees to abide by all equally applicable residential policies that are unrelated to the individual’s disability such as assuring that the animal does not unduly interfere with the routine activities of the residence or cause difficulties for individuals who reside there.
  10. The animal is allowed in College housing only as long as it is necessary because of the Owner’s disability. The Owner must notify OAR in writing if the ESA is no longer needed or is no longer in residence. To replace an ESA, the new animal must be necessary because of the Owner’s disability and the Owner must follow the procedures in this Policy and the Reasonable Accommodation Policy when requesting a different animal.
  11. College personnel shall not be required to provide care or food for any ESA including, but not limited to, removing the animal during emergency evacuation for events such as a fire.
  12. Emergency personnel will determine whether to remove the animal and neither emergency responders nor College personnel may be held responsible for the care, damage to, or loss of the animal.
  13. The Owner must provide written consent for OAR to disclose information regarding the request for and presence of the ESA to those individuals who may be impacted by the presence of the animal including, but not limited to, Residence Life personnel and potential and/or actual roommate(s)/neighbor(s). Such information shall be limited to information related to the animal and shall not include information related to the individual’s disability.
  14. An emergency contact (not a student in residence) must be provided should the animal need to be moved to another place in case of emergency.

VI. Removal of ESA

The College may require the individual to remove the animal from College for reasons including:

  1. The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or causes substantial property damage to the property of others;
  2. The animal’s presence results in a fundamental alteration of a College program;
  3. The Owner does not comply with the responsibilities set forth above; or
  4. The animal or its presence creates an unmanageable disturbance or interference with the College community.

The College will base such determinations upon the consideration of the behavior of the particular animal at issue, and not on speculation or fear about the harm or damages an animal may cause. Any removal of the animal will be done in consultation with OAR and may be appealed following the procedure set forth in the Grievance and Appeal Policy. The Owner will be afforded all rights of due process and appeal as outlined in that process.

Should the ESA be removed from the premises for any reason, the Owner is expected to fulfill their housing obligations for the remainder of the housing contract.

VII. Non-retaliation Provision

Carleton will not retaliate against any person because that individual has requested or received a reasonable accommodation in College housing, including a request for an ESA.

Students approved for an ESA will be required to submit a completed Documentation form for Mental Health providers. Please contact OAR@carleton.edu to obtain a copy of this form.

The College reserves the right to modify this policy as needed.  For additional information concerning the use of a Service Animal or other accommodations and services, please contact the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR): oar@carleton.edu.