Services for Students with Disabilities
Assistance Animals
Although it is Southwestern’s policy that students are generally prohibited from having animals in University housing, students with a disability may be entitled to an assistance animal as a reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for such an accommodation, the assistance animal must be necessary to afford the student an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling or to participate in the housing service or program. Further, there must be a relationship, or nexus, between the student’s disability and the assistance the animal provides.
Emotional Support Animals: Emotional support animals (ESAs) are not pets and are restricted to a residence. A student may not bring an animal to campus and claim it as an ESA without having first gained approval and followed the proper procedures. Please see the University’s ESA Policy.
Service Animals: Southwestern University recognizes the importance of service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) and follows the federal regulations regarding service animals. Anyone using a service animal is encouraged to register with the Associate Director of Academic Success. For more information, please see the University’s Service Animal Policy.