Operative Text
Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "emotional support animal" means a companion animal that a health service provider has determined provides a benefit for an individual with a disability, which may include improving at least one (1) symptom of the disability.
Indiana Code § 22-9-7-6 establishes the legal definition of an "emotional support animal" (ESA) for purposes of this chapter. Under this definition, an ESA is a companion animal that a health service provider has determined provides a benefit to an individual with a disability, which can include alleviating at least one symptom of that disability. This is a definitional provision, meaning it sets the scope of who and what qualifies under the broader rules in this chapter rather than imposing independent obligations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Because Indiana Code § 22-9-7-6 defines what qualifies as an emotional support animal under Indiana law, property owners and managers generally look to this definition when evaluating accommodation requests involving companion animals. A compliant operator typically confirms that a request is accompanied by documentation from a health service provider establishing that the animal meets this statutory definition. Understanding this definition helps operators apply the rest of the chapter's requirements consistently and accurately.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Indiana Code § 22-9-7-6 provides the foundational definition that determines whether a companion animal may qualify as an emotional support animal under Indiana's housing-related protections. Tenants seeking to keep an ESA generally benefit from having documentation from a health service provider that addresses how the animal provides a benefit related to their disability, consistent with this definition. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help individuals understand how this definition interacts with the broader protections in this chapter.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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