Emotional Support Animals

A number of students on campus have emotional support animals, but what does it mean to have one?

“I know that the process is different for everyone,” said sophomore Molly Keeling. “It was pretty simple for me. After I adopted Poppy [a cat], I had to talk to the Department of Disability Services and my doctor back home. I just had to fill out the paper work and within a few days, she was accepted!” It largely depends on your circumstances and the reason why you would like to have an emotional support animal. Keeling says that Poppy “makes it easier for her to get up in the morning and helps calm her down when the stress of classes gets to be too much.”

Poppy does require effort according to Keeling. “The hardest part for me is making sure I have what I need for her. I need to make sure I never run out of food or litter.” 

There are some of the misconceptions surrounding emotional support animals. Keeling said that “unlike what some people think, having an ESA really does help in my personal experience. She helps calm my anxiety and gives me a reason to keep going. Without her, I would not have been able to get through these first couple of weeks…Even if I feel alone, I know she is always there.”

Sophomore Natalie Pricopie also has new emotional support animal – a baby calico kitten named Xena. Pricopie said Xena “has made her college experience 100 times more enjoyable because no one has made it easier for her to be in her room and has helped her feel more comfortable on campus.” For Procopie, the hardest part of having an emotional support animal is “trying to make sure that her animal being on campus is not bothering the people around her.”

What do you think about emotional support animals on campus? Let us know on Twitter.

Carrie King - Features Editor