This policy does not apply to service animals
An emotional support animal is a companion animal that provides therapeutic benefit to an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability.
The animal is part of the treatment plan for a person who meets the definition of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The animal would address specific functional limitations to allow the person to live independently.
While we understand that an animal can be an important source of support during stressful times for many students, clinicians at OSU Student Health Services do not provide letters for emotional support animals.
There is increasing recognition that some expertise is needed to assess whether the animal’s temperament and training allow it to be emotionally or physically therapeutic. An outside mental health professional with expertise in this type of assessment may be willing to write a letter that will meet the requirements.