Your ESA and College Dorms in New Hampshire: What’s Allowed?

Your ESA and College Dorms in New Hampshire: What’s Allowed?

Heading off to college is exciting, but for many students with emotional or psychological needs, that transition can come with added challenges. If you rely on the support of a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) or an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), the idea of moving into a dorm can raise some big questions—especially in states like New Hampshire where policies vary from school to school.

So, what exactly are your rights when it comes to living with your support animal on campus?

Know the Difference: ESA vs PSD

Before diving into what’s allowed, it’s important to understand the distinction between Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSDs). While both offer vital support for individuals with mental health conditions, PSDs are specifically trained to perform tasks that directly assist with a diagnosed disability. This gives them access protections that ESAs do not have—especially under federal law.

At PetCerts.com, we provide official PSD Housing and Travel Letters for individuals who qualify. These letters help establish your need for a psychiatric service dog under the Fair Housing Act and the Air Carrier Access Act.

What’s Allowed in New Hampshire Dorms?

In New Hampshire, colleges must comply with the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), depending on how housing is structured. Dorms that function like traditional residences (with leases, for example) generally fall under FHA, which means reasonable accommodations must be made for individuals with qualifying mental health conditions.

Here's what you need to know:

1. ESAs Are Often Allowed—With Conditions

Many New Hampshire colleges allow ESAs in campus housing if proper documentation is submitted and approved. This typically involves demonstrating that the animal is part of your mental health treatment plan and provides necessary emotional support.

However, ESAs don’t have public access rights (like entering classrooms or dining halls), and approval is typically limited to dorm rooms or campus apartments.

2. PSDs Have Broader Access

Unlike ESAs, Psychiatric Service Dogs are protected under the ADA, which means they can accompany you nearly anywhere on campus—including dormitories and other public spaces. That said, colleges still have the right to verify the dog’s training and behavior.

At PetCerts.com, we help students nationwide by providing official PSD Housing and Travel Letters that clearly communicate their need for a service dog in accordance with federal law. While we don’t deal with ESAs directly, those with trained PSDs are often better protected when it comes to housing access and travel.

3. Each School Has Its Own Process

Whether you're attending UNH, Dartmouth, Keene State, or another New Hampshire college, each school will have a specific procedure for requesting an accommodation. This usually includes submitting:

• Documentation from a licensed mental health professional

• Vaccination and behavior records for your animal

• An official request form through disability services

Starting early is key—requests should ideally be submitted before move-in day.

What If You’re Denied?

If your ESA or PSD request is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision or file a complaint. However, denials are often due to incomplete or unqualified documentation. That’s why it’s so important to have accurate paperwork that meets federal and institutional standards.

With PetCerts.com, your PSD letter is issued by a licensed professional and formatted to comply with federal housing and travel laws. We work with students who need clear, legitimate support for living with a psychiatric service dog.

Plan Ahead, Advocate for Yourself

Living on campus with an emotional support animal or psychiatric service dog in New Hampshire is entirely possible—but it requires preparation, proper documentation, and awareness of your rights.

Whether you’re managing anxiety, PTSD, depression, or another qualifying condition, a trained psychiatric service dog can make a powerful difference in your college experience.

If you're preparing for campus life and believe a PSD could support your mental well-being, PetCerts.com is here to help ensure your rights are respected and your transition is smooth.