Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed in Schools?

Written by: Wilson College • Jun 22, 2026

About 20% of children (ages 3 to 17) are diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These include anxiety and depression, as well as behavioral disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Many children experiencing mental health issues turn to resources at their schools for support. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) estimates that about 18% of public school students took advantage of school-based mental health services in the 2024-25 school year, and about half of all public schools reported an increase in the number of students using these services compared with the previous year—underscoring the vital role schools often play in addressing youth mental health. As student mental health needs become more visible in school settings, questions about additional accommodations, such as emotional support animals, have become increasingly relevant.

For many children and families, emotional support animals can be highly effective in helping manage mental health symptoms and emotional regulation, offering comfort, stability, and a sense of security in challenging situations.

While emotional support animals are increasingly used to support children’s emotional well-being and mental health, their presence in schools is subject to specific legal and policy considerations. For both current educators looking to advance their careers and those pursuing careers in education , understanding whether emotional support animals are allowed in schools is beneficial.

What Are Emotional Support Animals?

Most pets provide some level of mental or emotional comfort to their owners. In a 2024 survey by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), 84% of pet owners said their pets had a positive impact on their mental health. In some cases, however, the bond between a pet and its owner plays a formal role in helping people manage diagnosed mental health conditions and navigate daily life.

An emotional support animal is a pet prescribed by a licensed mental health professional to help alleviate symptoms of a mental illness that affect a person’s daily functioning. With proper documentation, including a letter from a provider, the pet can be registered as an emotional support animal and may qualify for certain accommodations—most notably related to housing and air travel—under federal law. Employers may also make accommodations for workers with emotional support animals.

Emotional support animals are often dogs, but they may include cats, birds, or other kinds of domesticated animals.

Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals

Educators must understand the difference between an emotional support animal and a service animal. As defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are specially trained to perform specific tasks and provide support to people with disabilities. For example, service dogs may be trained to guide a person who is blind around an obstacle, alert a person who is deaf to an alarm, or protect a person who is having a seizure. Service animals can even be trained to remind a person with a mental illness to take their medication.

Because of their specialized training and legally protected status, service animals are generally allowed anywhere their owners go, including schools and workplaces.

Emotional Support Animals in Schools: Where Are They Allowed?

Given that many children experience mental and behavioral health challenges—and that pets are proven to have a positive effect on mental health—it’s natural to wonder whether students can bring emotional support animals to school.

However, while service animals are almost always permitted to accompany students to school, emotional support animals aren’t automatically allowed under federal law.

Schools may grant exceptions, depending on a student’s individual needs. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, schools may approve animals that don’t meet the ADA’s definition of a service animal if they determine the animal is necessary for the student to access their education.

These determinations are typically guided by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 team, which includes teachers, administrators, counselors, and other staff familiar with the student’s needs.

When approved by the IEP or Section 504 team, emotional support animals may be permitted in certain school settings, unlike service animals, which have broader protections under the ADA. In practice, this means that where emotional support animals can go typically aligns with where the student can go, including classrooms, recreational facilities, and campus housing.

How Can Schools Provide Mental Health Support to Students?

Beyond allowing service and emotional support animals, schools can support students’ mental health—and their academic development—in myriad other ways. In fact, mental health services are already a core part of many school environments: 97% of K-12 schools provide at least one mental health service to students, according to a KFF report. These supports often focus on early intervention and accessibility.

Some of the more meaningful strategies schools can adopt include the following:

School-based mental health services: Many schools employ counselors, psychologists, social workers, and other trained professionals who may provide counseling, assessment, and crisis response and can refer students and families to external providers when needed. Providing these services in school settings helps reduce barriers to care, particularly for traditionally underserved populations.
Trauma-informed teaching practices: Trauma-informed approaches help educators understand how stress and trauma can impact student behavior and learning. These practices emphasize safe, supportive, and predictable environments that foster positive relationships and student engagement, ultimately improving learning outcomes.
Mental health screening and early identification: Early intervention is crucial to helping students experiencing mental or behavioral health challenges. Schools can use early identification strategies, such as universal or targeted screenings, to identify students who may need mental health support and promptly connect them with services.
Mental health education and awareness: Implementing classroom-based activities, training programs, and curricula can promote mental health literacy among students and staff. This can reduce stigma and encourage students who are struggling to seek help.
Family and community partnerships: Schools can work with families and community resources to connect students to additional services and ensure support extends beyond the school setting.

Building Inclusive Classrooms That Meet Every Student’s Needs

Emotional support animals can play an important role in promoting student mental health and learning, but their presence in schools is carefully regulated. Understanding when emotional support animals are allowed in schools—and how accommodations are determined—can help educators balance students’ needs with legal and educational responsibilities.

If you’re looking to launch or advance your career in special education, Wilson College Online’s Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Special Education and Master of Special Education (MSE) programs can help you hone the skills to support your students’ unique needs and access diverse career paths. The fully online programs are designed to fit your busy schedule, with asynchronous coursework and faculty committed to your success.

Find out how Wilson can help you become a more effective educator.

Recommended Readings

Understanding the Needs of Diverse Learners in the Classroom

What Are Adaptive Skills in Special Education?

Special Education Career Path

Sources:

American Kennel Club, “Everything You Need to Know About Emotional Support Animals”

American Psychiatric Association, Americans’ Pets Offer Mental Health Support to Their Owners, 1 Out of 5 Pet Owners Has an Emotional Support Animal

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health

KFF, “The Landscape of School-Based Mental Health Services”

National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health in Schools

National Center for Education Statistics, School Pulse Panel: Surveying High-Priority, Education-Related Topics