Emotional Support Animal Information
Hardin-Simmons University is committed to providing residents with disabilities complete access and equal opportunity in the residence halls and other living spaces.
- The application process must be started 60 days before the animal is brought on campus.
- Bringing an animal on campus before the ESA’s finalization interview with the Director of Residence Life will result in an unauthorized pet fine of $500.
- Animals must be at a mature age. Puppies and kittens will not be accepted or approved. Dogs must be 1 year old and cats must be 6 months old.
- Students requesting an ESA must have an ongoing relationship with a counselor who can verify their need for an Emotional Support Animal. ONLINE COUNSELING DOCUMENTATION or AN ONLINE ESA REGISTRATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
HSU discourages students from paying websites or individuals on websites for certifications, “ESA Registration,” or template letters. Such documentation is not sufficient or reliable to observe a disability or disability-related need.
ESA Checklist
- Contact Disability Services or disabilityservices@hsutx.edu
- Contact the Director of Residence Life to go over the policies and procedures and sign the acknowledgement form. residencelife@hsutx.edu
- Submit the documentation required by Disability Services.
- If Disability Services says you are eligible, you will be contacted by the Director of Residence Life to submit an ESA Registration Form.
- Once submitted, the Director of Residence Life will set up a Finalization Interview with the student. If the animal is approved a date will be given for the animal to come on campus.
Contacts
Carol Krueger Ed.D
Director of Undergraduate Advising, Disability Services, and the Academic Center for Enrichment
Testing Center Coordinator
carol.krueger@hsutx.edu
(325) 670-5842
https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/academic-resources/disability-services/
Kelly Eason
Director of Residence Life
Kelly.eason@hsutx.edu or residencelife@hsutx.edu
325-670-1177
https://www.hsutx.edu/student-life/living-on-campus/
FAQ
ESA Handbook
- Once approved for an ESA the student is responsible for following all the policies and procedures set out in the ESA Handbook. If the student breaks the rules for an ESA or other rules laid out in the Student Life Handbook the ESA may be removed and the student’s ESA eligibility may be put on hold.
- If your ESA is approved and you exchange the registered animal for another animal, you will be fined $500 for an unauthorized pet. If you would like to change which animal you are using as an ESA, you must contact the Director of Residence Life and register the new animal.
- ESA accommodations are reviewed yearly. Students must reapply for their ESA and submit new or updated records. Students failing to do this will be fined for having an unauthorized pet and will be asked to remove the animal. If the student fails to communicate with the Director of Residence Life or the Director of Disability Services in a timely manner their eligibility will be put on hold.