Emotional Support Animals (ESA)

1. All animals must comply with the ordinances of the city where the student resides on campus, and will be considered for approval on a case-by-case basis.

• Dogs and cats brought to campus must have a valid license as evidence of current rabies vaccinations and fulfill all local requirements applicable to animals or they may be subject to removal from campus. 

2. In all cases, the owner of the animal is responsible for the animal’s behavior.

• Animals brought on campus must be under the complete control of the owner at all times and present no hazard to people or property. The wearing of a muzzle by a dog shall not be regarded as control by its owner. 

• Animals on campus grounds must be secured to a leash, cord, chain, or similar direct physical control of a maximum length of 6 feet, the other end of which is securely held by a person. 

• Animals must not be tethered to a stationary fixture or tree when left unattended.

3. Individuals approved to have an ESA in their college housing will be permitted to have no more than one Emotional Support Animal. All ESAs must be formally approved by the college before being brought into campus housing. 

4. The approved ESA is only permitted inside the student’s assigned campus residence. The ESA is not allowed to accompany the student into any other public buildings on campus, including the dining area.

5. TSTC may take reasonable efforts to remove an animal confined in a vehicle when there appears to be imminent danger to the animal due to temperature conditions or inadequate ventilation. TSTC is not liable for any associated repair/damage costs to the vehicle for this action and the animal’s owner assumes full responsibility.

6. The college reserves the right to remove an emotional support animal if:

   • It poses a direct threat to the safety of others or causes significant property damage;

   • Its presence results in an undue burden or fundamental alteration of a college's program;

   • The animal is left unattended for eight or more hours;

   • It creates an unmanageable disturbance or interference with the college community; and/or

   • The student does not comply with the conditions set forth by the Access and Learning Accommodations Office and the Student Housing Office.

To the extent possible, the handler should ensure that the animal does not sniff people, outdoor campus dining tables, or the personal belongings of others. Also, the animal should not display any behaviors that are disruptive to others. It is the handler’s responsibility to ensure that the animal does not block a passageway for fire egress. Behavioral violations by the animal may result in disciplinary action of the student handler.

Cleaning up after the animal is the sole responsibility of the handler. In the event that the handler is not physically able to clean up after the animal, it is the handler’s responsibility to arrange for someone who is capable and explicitly willing to clean up after the animal. The person cleaning up after the animal should abide by the following guidelines: 

1. always carry equipment sufficient to clean up the animal's waste whenever the animal is on campus, and 

2. properly dispose of waste and/or litter in appropriate containers. 

TSTC may hold the handler financially responsible if staff intervention is required for cleanup or if damages occur.