College can be a stressful time for anyone. For many young people, it is their first time living away from their parents, and the distance from that safety net can be hard to handle. Not to mention all the new people, classes, and responsibilities. Even for returning students, college can be an overwhelming experience. That’s why many schools are not only allowing students to bring their own emotional support animals, but are also providing campus animals for students to interact with.
For example, South Dakota State has a “dorm dog” named Dewey.
Happy #nationaldogday to the newest Community Assistant at #sdstate – Dewey, the dorm dog! @dog_rates pic.twitter.com/NaT9JQ1E5v
— Chelsea Timm (@ChelseaTimm) August 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/annexelizabeth/status/1032464607196196866
While some schools have resident dogs like Dewey, others have dogs specifically for therapy for students. Therapy dogs receive special training to help emotionally support humans, which helps them stay calm even when the human they’re with isn’t. Dogs like this are a common sight in places like children’s hospitals and elderly care facilities, but college is a tumultuous time too, and dogs are more than happy to provide that same unconditional puppy love to students.
Therapy Dog Charlie visits Justin’s residents in his dorm at @myrwu – so important for college students away from home. pic.twitter.com/4lACkqmBN5
— Donna Macaluso (@DonnaMacaluso) April 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/MStewart102/status/1030476959313276928
Students are also bringing their emotional support animals to school. Dogs are the most common emotional support animal, but students have cats—and even chinchillas—too. Rules vary from school to school but based on social media, in general, animal acceptance is increasing.
https://twitter.com/0liviamartin/status/1031304777139933184
Getting settled into my #WayneStateCollege dorm room with my #ESA, Jameson! #SeniorYear pic.twitter.com/w5WKGBffwb
— Chantal Kohl (@LittleRaeLawson) August 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/piercebartman/status/1033802563836170241
Not everyone is happy about the influx of emotional support animals, though. Some students say the schools aren’t putting in due diligence in cleaning up after the animals in the dorms, causing serious allergic reactions.
https://twitter.com/sydeeerrs/status/1033579668279111680
While emotional support animals are important, some schools have a lot of adjusting to do to make sure their facilities are accessible to everyone.
