Student Life

Emotional Support Animals

Western Illinois University (WIU) recognizes the importance of Emotional Support Animals (ESA’s) in providing physical and/or emotional support to individuals with disabilities. In compliance with the Fair Housing Act, WIU will evaluate all requests for an ESA as a reasonable accommodation for an individual with a disability who lives in University housing. Furthermore, WIU is committed to allowing these individuals the use of ESA’s necessary to provide equal opportunity to use and enjoy University housing.

Emotional Support Animal guidelines explain the specific requirements applicable to an individual's use of an ESA in University housing. The University's Emotional Support Animal policy can be found here.

To submit a request for an Emotional Support Animal in the residence halls, please fill out this form. Once the SDSC receives the form, they will reach out to your provider for documentation regarding your ESA request.

The Student Development and Success Center collaborates with students with disabilities and University Housing and Dining Services to determine appropriate accommodations in the residence halls, including emotional support animals. All questions regarding or requests for ESAs in the residence halls should be directed to the SDSC, 125 Memorial Hall, 309-298-1884, sdsc@wiu.edu.