How Emotional Support Animals Help College Students Manage Anxiety
College life is often portrayed as an exciting chapter filled with new experiences and opportunities, but the reality can be far more challenging. Stepping into a completely new environment, away from the comforts of home, where every face is unfamiliar, and the demands on your time and energy are relentless can be daunting. For many students, this sudden shift—managing a heavy academic workload while trying to build new friendships and adjust to an entirely different life—can quickly become overwhelming.
The pressures of college can intensify existing psychological conditions or even trigger new ones, such as anxiety, stress, and depression. These mental health challenges not only jeopardize academic performance but also make it difficult for students to forge meaningful social connections. In a setting designed for growth and learning, these issues can create significant barriers to success.
Creature Comforts: How ESAs Help College Students Thrive
To help alleviate the stress of college life, it has become increasingly common for college students to have Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) accompany them on campus. Studies have found that the human-animal connection is a bond that has tremendous psychological benefits for university students, and schools have been paying attention to these results! These studies demonstrate that animal-assisted therapy can significantly reduce stress and anxiety in even the most high-stress environments.
I’m not a professional athlete, but I can imagine the Olympics as a high-stress environment. Olympic athletes have been training their whole lives to compete on a global stage for all to see as their skills are put to the test. To combat the stress and anxiety, the U.S. relies on the irresistible cuteness and calming nature of Beacon, the golden retriever therapy dog that has helped keep some of the most accomplished athletes feeling zen during the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Now let’s take a moment to watch Beacon, who has won our hearts and the title of “Goodest Boy,” show off his Olympic skills:
To help alleviate symptoms associated with depression and anxiety— two conditions that are very common among college students, ESAs serve as companions that help calm and relieve stress. Unlike service animals, ESAs do not require specialized training and can encompass a variety of species, including dogs, cats, rabbits, hedgehogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. (Please note: all schools have specific rules and regulations regarding approved species; students must inquire through their school’s residential learning and housing department for specific details and procedures.)
Schools like Stockton University have found that the integration of ESAs into campus life has shown positive impacts on students' mental health, significantly reducing symptoms of stress and anxiety. Less stress and anxiety amongst students means higher retention and graduation rates (i.e., students are achieving academic success!)
College Admittance for Your Best Friend: How to Get An ESA on Campus
While not all colleges are openly supportive of students having ESAs on campus, legally, the Federal Housing Act mandates that all colleges and universities, whether public or private, must permit emotional support animals (ESAs) in campus housing. The FHA refers to these animals as “comfort animals,” assistance animals, or ESAs that are found to offer companionship and can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, colleges are not allowed to impose extra rent or fees on students who have ESAs.
That said, students must know that the approval process for ESAs is often very stringent. There are proper procedures specific to each school to get approval for an ESA. Students must provide documentation that illustrates the ESA's role in an existing and ongoing psychiatric treatment plan. Requests can be denied if adequate evidence isn't presented, though students are encouraged to submit additional documentation if initially unsuccessful. Bryn Mawr College, for instance, requires documentation from the student’s healthcare provider as evidence of a need for an ESA and is strict about validating the documentation before ESA approval. This seems to be common practice for most colleges and universities.
Students seeking approval for an ESA must adhere to specific rules, regulations, and procedures, which often include meetings with housing professionals to discuss responsibilities and expectations for animal care. Additionally, students must provide veterinary documentation, a state animal license, and any other supplemental materials required by the school.
ESAs require very strict rules once approved by the school. For example, ESAs must remain under their handler's control at all times. Animals may be forbidden from campus if they are uncontrollable, pose health and safety threats, or are not housebroken. These policies are in place to ensure that both the well-being of students and the campus community are maintained. If ESAs are found in violation of any of these rules, the school has the right to follow proper protocols (disclosed during the procedure for ESA approval).
Why Choose a School that Supports ESAs?
Colleges and universities that support ESAs recognize the mental and emotional benefits of having an animal to provide comfort to college students. This harkens back to the post we wrote on helping students choose a college that prioritizes mental health and well-being; these are schools that provide the additional psychological support that college students require to not only survive but thrive during their college years.
For our students who may not have an ESA for their high school years but struggle with psychological conditions such as anxiety, stress, and/or depression, an ESA may be just the help they need to transition from high school to college, from home life to dorm life. It’s certainly worth considering, especially if they are accustomed to having a family or personal pet that they rely on during times of need.
I had a friend in high school who struggled with social anxiety. She grew up in a home with a family dog and a hamster. She knew the adjustment to college and dorm life would be emotionally draining, so she sought approval from her college to bring her hamster to her dorm room. While it may seem like a simple thing to keep a small animal in a dorm room, she found that having that creature comfort she relied on from home helped her more easily transition to her new college life. Even her roommates found comfort in having something to cuddle and play with throughout their day, and her hamster became a source of calm for their dorm room in an otherwise very stressful environment.
Special Considerations for College ESA Owners
It’s clear that ESAs can provide many therapeutic benefits to college students that talk therapy, new friends, and social clubs cannot, but let’s take a moment to remember: animals are more than just cute and calming—they’re expensive, and these ESA owners are college students.
I don’t know about you, but my wallet in college was pretty empty. For most students, college funds are quickly drained by purchasing class materials and outings with friends. Without monetary support from family members or coverage from insurance, college students must be financially prepared to pay for the care and maintenance of their ESA.
What’s more, many schools, like Swarthmore College, require ESA owners to provide an ESA care plan for emergency care of the animal if the student cannot provide care. So, what is a typical college student living off of a typical college student's budget to do to care for their ESA?
With ESAs becoming more common among college students, there is a push for financial assistance for ESA owners. For instance, the Waggle Human-Pet Bond Scholarship granted by Waggle—a crowdfunding platform that offers college ESA owners a secure place to raise emergency funds to help pay for or cover critical veterinary care for a sick or injured ESA—is a $1,000 scholarship award and an awesome opportunity for college students to earn money to care for their ESAs. The Waggle Human-Pet Bond Scholarship is listed as a scholarship option on many of the financial aid & scholarships pages of top colleges and universities such as LSU, the University of Miami’s School of Law, and the University of Oregon. Encourage your students to check with their prospective college to see if the Waggle Human-Pet Bond Scholarship is an option for them.
Note: Waggle’s scholarship application deadline is November 1, 2024, so advise your clients to apply soon!
Emotional Support Animals can play a vital role in supporting students' mental health and well-being during the challenges of college life. As you help prepare your students for college, it's essential to encourage them to prioritize their mental health just as much as their academic goals. They should consider what resources, including ESAs, might best support their well-being on campus. Advise them to take the time to explore and utilize the support systems available to them, and make their mental health a top priority.
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