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Service Animals & ESAs

FIU welcomes Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals as a crucial resource for differently abled students.

Registering an ESA

If you would like to register your Emotional Support Animal (ESA) to accompany you in FIU Housing, complete the process below.

  1. Completed DRC Student Intake Form
  2. Completed Housing Medical Accommodation Request Form
  3. Letter of Support from Medical/Healthcare Provider

Emotional Support Animals are not permitted in Housing until you receive communication confirming your request has been processed.

Once your initial documentation is approved, the DRC will send the request to Housing and you will be prompted to follow up on the next steps directly with Housing staff.

If you have any questions, contact Stephanie Bello at smbello@fiu.edu or explore FIU's Guidelines on ESAs.

Campus Access

Emotional Support Animals are not allowed in classrooms or in public places on campus. ESA's are only allowed in Housing with immediate access to outdoor areas from residence halls. This doesn't include common areas such as group rooms and laundry rooms.

Service Animals must be allowed in any public area/facility where the public is normally allowed to go.

Although vests are optional, Service Animals must be kept on a leash and under control when in a public area.

Documentation of one's disability or Service Animal training is not required before allowing public access unless on-campus housing has been requested. Students with Emotional Support Animals or Service Animals must register and have the accommodation approved by the DRC & Housing to reside with their animal on-campus.

  • Definition of Service Animals

    A Service Animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of individuals with physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental conditions. Miniature horses and dogs in training are also covered under ADA and Florida Statute.

  • Definition of Emotional Support/Therapy Animals

    Emotional support (ESA), comfort or therapy animals are not considered service animals because they have not been trained to do work or perform a specific task related to a person's disability. Emotional/assistance/support animals are only allowed in the housing when emotional support cannot be met in any other way.

  • Laws Protecting Service Animals

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all housing programs and activities that are either conducted by the federal government or receive federal financial assistance.

    Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act of 2008 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs and schools.

    The Fair Housing Act requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

    Florida Law covers puppies or dogs in training.

  • Question Allowed by ADA Regulation
    1. Is this dog a service animal required because of a disability?
    2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

    You cannot ask about the person's disability or request medical documentation, special identification card, or training documentation for the animal. You also cannot ask for a demonstration of the behavior the animal does.