Applying for an Emotional Support Animal

An ESA is an animal selected to play an integral part of a student’s treatment process, providing emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a student’s disability. An ESA does not perform work or tasks that would qualify them as service animals as defined by the ADA. Emotional support animals are not considered pets. To preserve student health and safety, pets are prohibited in all College residences, with the sole exception of fish in bowls or tanks that do not exceed 10 gallons. Having an ESA is considered an exemption to the College’s Pet Policy and is an approved animal. As such, the College requires that students who require an ESA to affirmatively request an emotional support animal within established deadlines. In general, only one ESA per student is allowed.

Applying for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)

Students may apply for an exemption through the Academic Resource Center by following the steps outlined below. Any questions about the Exemption to the Pet Policy should be directed to the Director or Assistant Director of Disability Support Services.

  1. Navigate to the Academic Resource Center(ARC)’s ClockWork Student Portal and log in with your Wooster credentials.
    *Google Chrome is the preferred browser when completing the form.
  2. Select the Register Here Button if this is your first-time scheduling with the ARC. A member of the Academic Resource Center will need to complete the intake process on their end. Please allow at least one business day for this process to be completed. If you are already registered to use ClockWork, please go directly to step 3.
  3. Once you are Registered, please fill out the Online Form “Request for Exemption to Pet Policy”.
  4. Please upload all supporting documentation for an Exemption to a Pet Policy under Student Files. Please note – all students applying for an Exemption to a Pet Policy, must have their qualified medical professional fill out the Emotional Support Animal Request for Information Form.
  5. Once all documentation has been uploaded, students are encouraged to meet with the Director or Assistant Director of Disability Support Services about their request for an exemption. Appointments can be made on the students ClockWork Portal.
  6. All requests will be reviewed the colleges Housing/Dining Accessibility Committee once a month during their meeting.