Emotional Support Animals on Campus

Staff

Kimiko Coles

Applying to have an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) can be offered in any on-campus housing. What goes into the process? What is it like to have an ESA on campus?

There is a difference between an ESA and a Service Animal but both can be applied for. An ESA animal, in most cases, will help mental health issues. Service animals are dogs that are trained to benefit those with various disabilities relating to physical, sensory, or intellectual needs. 

“It’s hard to explain the comfort that my ESA animal brings me when college life get to hard. Somehow, she just knows when I need her to just sit with me. She knows when I’m about to have a panic attack and somehow, she knows that all I need is to sit and hold her. 

On the downside she hates the car so for 2 hours I have to listen to her yell and yell.” said Snow student Kortney Jacobson. 

There are some things that should be considered before applying. This can include cleaning up and leaving for the weekends. An ESA animal cannot be left alone for more than twelve hours. It cannot be left with someone else over the weekends; they have to stay with their prospective owners. The animal may not be suited for dorm life.

 “Having an ESA like Olive has been worth it, even if she can be a little crazy at times with her zoomies. She is there when I need a break from the world.” explained Jaycie Tiberi.

A pro is that the animal is there to be with a person when they need help. ESAs can bring happiness on the hardest of days and provide comfort in a simplistic type of way. 

One can apply to get an ESA through Snow’s main website by  searching ESA. An application will come up.