University officials are in the process of updating policies for students with Emotional Support Animals.
Jenny Minsberg, senior coordinator for access in academic support, said different ESA policies are being combined and clarified due to current laws changing regarding ESAs in Oklahoma.
“One of the main updates that we are doing has to do with what kind of documentation is accepted,” Minsberg said. “It already says it is only from a mental health provider, but we all know that there are sites that people can go on and you can purchase your whole Emotional Support Animal package. None of those sites are actual legitimate sites. There is no such thing as a certified Emotional Support Animal.”
Minsberg said the change of ESA laws in Oklahoma was the cause of the updated policies.
“Oklahoma actually has just updated their state laws to say that, if there are letters that are purchased through those sites, and the landlords—the equivalent of me or housing—has deemed them to be fraudulent, that we don’t have to accept them,” she said.
The qualifications to get an ESA requires a note from a mental health provider, as well as other details of the student’s treatment, Minsberg aid.
“A person needs to have an official diagnosis from a mental health provider,” she said. “I need to know the basics of the rest of your treatment plan. Do you have medication? Are you going and seeing your therapist on a regular basis? Then how having an Emotional Support Animal goes in with that treatment plan.”
Emily Tryon, acting senior, had two ESA pets in the past three years and said she supports the updates to the campus policies.
“Every year we do a checkup,” she said. “They’re changing it recently. Now we have to go and get a new doctor’s note saying that, ‘yeah, no, we still recommend an ESA.’”
Tryon said ESAs help her with her emotional health.
“The dogs are able to help me to get out of bed in the morning,” Tryon said. “They motivate me because I have to take care of my pup. My dog has to eat. My dog has to go out to the bathroom. It gets me out of the house when I wouldn’t otherwise.”
Maureen Austin, dance sophomore, has an ESA-approved cat that’s been living with her for two months. Her therapist suggested an ESA to aid in the treatment of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. She got the cat from a rescue shelter this semester.
“Ellie is really good at noticing when I get nervous or upset or have had a nightmare,” Austin said. “She’ll come and lay on my chest, and the pressure helps when I have an episode and have a lot of pain in my chest.”
For more information about university ESA policies, visit okcu.edu/campus/resources/disability/housing-accommodations/emotional-support-animal.
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