Emotional Support Animals: How to Accommodate All Students

Abstract

This case study is designed for use in graduate courses in student affairs and higher education administration. This case presents some of the challenges that higher education professionals face concerning policies and laws as they relate to student mental illness and emotional support animals. Requests for emotional support animals are becoming more common, and institutions must determine how to accommodate such requests as required by law, while also ensuring a safe educational environment for all students. This case highlights the complex issues that administrators must confront as well as provides students the opportunity to evaluate important issues via the deconstruction of this complex case.