Service and Support Animal Policy

Smith College is committed to ensuring equal access for disabled students, staff, and faculty, as well as guests and visitors to the campus.

It is the college’s policy to permit service animals as defined by state and federal laws.

The college may also permit an emotional support animal (ESA) to reside in the residence hall with a student with a documented disability as a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Amendments. Approval is determined on a case-by-case basis. For students, this determination is made by the Accessibility Resource Center.

The current policies and procedures can be found on the Accessibility Resource Center website. Students should contact the Accessibility Resource Center with questions and/or to begin the process of registering and requesting approval for an ESA. Students are not required to register service animals.

These policies and requirements support Smith College’s commitment to comply with state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended and related laws, rules, and regulations, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Pub. L. 93-112, 87 Stat. 394 (29 U.S.C. 794), as amended, and MA General Laws chapter 129, section 39F, and in adherence to the Fair Housing Amendments.

Adherence to these policies and requirements by all in the Smith community is essential to support a foundation of understanding, comfort, and security that make Smith a welcoming and accessible place for all.

Updated June 2024