Ben Madilynn
As someone considering registering an animal to live on campus, I realized how lengthy the process can be. Filling out forms, consulting doctors and planning multiple vet visits — registering an emotional support animal seems incredibly tedious.
While it might seem lengthy, ULM’s pet policy is crucial for ensuring the well-being of students and pets. The university’s detailed requirements foster a safe environment, ensuring that pets are well cared for but don’t disrupt campus life.
ULM offers students two pathways for bringing a pet on campus. An animal can be registered as a service animal or, more commonly, an emotional support animal (ESA). Though the process is daunting, registration keeps students and pets safe.
To register an ESA, students must fulfill two requirements. According to ULM Residential Life, “the student’s licensed mental health provider, with whom they have an established relationship, must complete and submit an ESA Medical Document Request Form to the Special Accommodations Coordinator.” Requiring a professional to sign off on the ESA shows that the student can care for the animal.
Though they help reduce stress, pets can be hard to handle. Allowing students to bring any animal on campus would harm the handler and the pet.
Students must also submit veterinary paperwork confirming that the animal is healthy. To stay on campus, a pet must have received all its vaccinations and been spayed or neutered.
Not every pet is fit to live in a dorm or apartment. Some animals are too aggressive, causing unnecessary danger on campus. No one deserves to be bitten by another student’s animal, let alone one that does not have the proper vaccinations.
Without ULM’s policy, the university would lack clear guidelines distinguishing between service animals and untrained pets. The policy is essential for maintaining a balanced environment where everyone feels secure and comfortable.
