Massachusetts Institute of Technology supports students with disabilities by allowing emotional support animals (ESAs) in housing as reasonable accommodations. DAS evaluates each request individually, working with Housing & Residential Services to ensure equal access while maintaining campus safety and community standards.

Legal Framework

MIT’s ESA policy complies with federal laws protecting individuals with disabilities and ensuring equal access to housing.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on disability and requires reasonable accommodations for individuals who need them. Under the FHA, assistance animals that provide emotional support or alleviate symptoms of a disability qualify as reasonable accommodations in housing. ESAs must be necessary for the individual to have equal opportunity to use and enjoy housing, even in buildings where pets are otherwise prohibited.

The ADA distinguishes between service animals and emotional support animals. Service animals, dogs that are individually trained to perform work or tasks for people with disabilities, have access to public areas across campus. ESAs provide therapeutic benefits through companionship and emotional support but don’t have the same public access rights. Service animals are permitted throughout MIT campus, while ESAs are restricted to residential housing units under the Fair Housing Act.

Section 504 prohibits disability-based discrimination in federally funded educational programs and requires reasonable accommodations. This includes allowing ESAs in residential settings when medically necessary to ensure students with disabilities have equal access to MIT’s housing, programs, and services.

Massachusetts state laws and Cambridge local ordinances may provide additional protections for individuals with disabilities. MIT ensures its ESA policy complies with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements, providing comprehensive support for students with documented disabilities.

Fair Housing Act (FHA)

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

State and Local Laws

Who Qualifies for an Emotional Support Animal

Assistance Animals (ESAs)

Students with documented disabilities may keep an ESA in their residential dwelling unit if the animal is necessary for them to have equal access to and enjoy the benefits of MIT housing. The animal must alleviate symptoms of the disability, and this relationship must be documented by a qualified healthcare provider. Approval must be obtained from Disability and Access Services before bringing the animal to campus.

Service Animals

Service animals are dogs trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities. They’re permitted throughout campus, including residential and academic buildings, without prior DAS approval. Non-residents are not allowed to enter MIT residence halls with any animals, except service animals that have been individually trained to perform disability-related tasks.

Application Process for an ESA

Step 1: Initial Contact

If this is your first time requesting an accommodation, contact Disability and Access Services. During an initial meeting, the DAS team will initiate the accommodation request process.

Step 2: Gather Documentation

Prior to your meeting with DAS, review and obtain any and all documentation related to your disability and your specific accommodation request. DAS works with you, your medical provider, and Housing & Residential Services to determine accommodations that may be reasonable and necessary for your ESA request.

Step 3: Submit Required Forms

Like other accommodation requests, the first steps involve meeting with the DAS team and submitting documentation. Depending on the nature of your request, you may also need to submit the Supplemental Housing Request Form through the housing process.

Step 4: Interactive Review Process

DAS engages students and campus partners in an interactive process to determine and implement reasonable accommodations. Federal standards require that the animal must be necessary for you to have equal access to, and enjoy the benefits of, housing, and the accommodation must be reasonable. Reviews of accommodation requests may take some time.

Step 5: Wait for Approval

You must request accommodations to allow DAS reasonable time to review and evaluate your request and provide necessary accommodations. Animals are not permitted in your residence prior to approval. It is your responsibility to follow MIT’s procedures to ensure your request is addressed in an effective and timely manner.

Get an ESA Letter

College student with a black Labrador emotional support dog on a campus lawn

Responsibilities of ESA Owners

Complete responsibility for care and supervision, including feeding, grooming, veterinary care, and waste removal. Animals must not interfere with residence hall activities.
During health and safety inspections, ESAs must be crated.
Animals must be well-behaved, housebroken, and controlled at all times. No excessive noise, aggressive behavior, or unsanitary conditions.
Financial responsibility for all animal-caused damages, including repairs, excessive cleaning, or pest control services.
ESAs are permitted only in your on-campus dwelling unit. They are not allowed in other campus buildings.
Contact Housing & Residential Services or Disability and Access Services with questions or concerns.

Conflicting Needs and Resolutions

MIT accommodates both ESA owners and residents with conflicting needs such as allergies, asthma, or other animal-affected conditions. Contact DAS to discuss accommodations. DAS uses an interactive process to balance all students’ needs and find reasonable solutions.

Important Considerations

ESAs are permitted only in assigned residential rooms, not in other campus buildings.
Pets are prohibited in residence halls. Fish tanks up to 20 gallons are allowed.
Some residence halls offer a limited cat program separate from ESA accommodations.
Animals are not permitted in your residence prior to approval. Complete the entire approval process before bringing your animal to campus.
Non-residents are not allowed to enter MIT residence halls with any animals, except service animals that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for individuals with disabilities.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Emotional Support Animal Policy

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