Photo by: Emma Pile
At Elizabethtown College, policies on emotional support animals (ESAs) have been updated regarding housing. Assistant Director of Residence Life for Independent Living Experiences Dominic DiLoreto told the Etownian how Director of Disability Services Lynne Davies and former Director of Residence Life Allison Bridgeman had partnered together to work on this issue.
According to DiLoreto, Davies sought feedback from staff in Residence Life to understand concerns about having ESAs in the residence halls. Their collaboration allowed them to update the policy on ESAs, specifically to address them being in residence halls.
In order to apply to have an ESA on campus, students must put in a request 60 days prior to the start of the semester by contacting Davies. Other housing forms and medical documentation are also required to properly apply for an ESA to live on campus.
Upon approval of the ESA, students must keep the ESA in their room; however, if taken outside, the animal must remain in an animal carrier, leash or harness. ESAs are also not allowed to roam in common areas. In addition, students are required to keep their ESA contained in a restricted space, such as a crate or cage, when the student is out of their room.
Ultimately, the new updates seek to address problems from previous years. For this academic year, at least two rooms were taken offline as a result of pet damages.
DiLoreto mentioned how the updates in policy seek to address any issues that may arise from an animal’s separation anxiety, as well as prevent damage to the rooms, residence halls and other common areas. “Continually making updates [to policies] has the goal to serve the whole college community,” DiLoreto said.
“I honestly believe that the changes occurred because it simply was time to revisit the policy,” junior Emmett Ferree said, a student who is affected by the updated policies on ESAs. He, like other students affected by the updates in policy, were informed via email by Disability Services about the changes.
