Emotional Support Animals in College
Start writing a post

8/13 10 Things You Should Know About the Emotional Support Animal in My Dorm

What we want to tell you, but never say.

31
My own ESA, Amethyst

1. No, I don't have my ESA so that I can break the "no pets" rule in the residence halls.

There's actually a tedious process in getting your pet registered as an ESA at a University. You first have to have a diagnosis then get a letter from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist that states how having the animal could alleviate the symptoms of your diagnosis.

Once you have those things, you have to register with Disability Support Services on campus and still have them approve your ESA to stay with you. With that being said…

2. Yes, I do actually need my pet.

My ESA provides me with a sense of comfort, safety, and companionship that I'm not able to find in another person, object, or activity. My pet reduces the struggles that come with my diagnoses. I love my animal just like you love yours; the difference is that I rely on mine just a little more for support.

3. Just because my disabilities aren't visible doesn't mean they aren't there.

More times than not, ESAs are depended upon to relieve the symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and a variety of mood disorders. These disorders don't necessarily have physical attributes but are chemical imbalances in the brain. My imbalances affect me just as most physical impairments would.

4. Please don't ask me to justify my ESA to you.

If you become aware of my pet being an Emotional Support Animal, your next question should not be "what do you have?" Please accept the fact that both I and a medical professional believe that an animal would help me feel better, so please try to do the same.

5. I also do not need any suggestions on other coping mechanisms.

"Well, have you tried {insert suggestion here} instead?" "Maybe if you {insert suggestion here} you wouldn't need a Support Animal." I understand that you're probably trying to be kind and offer me support, but I have learned plenty of coping skills on my own and from my therapist.

6. Emotional Support Animals are not the same as Service Animals.

Service Animals provide a physical service. This can be in the form of guiding, detecting seizures, hearing, etc. Emotional Support Animals provide comfort and companionship to those in need of them. This also means…

7. ESAs do not have the same rules as Service Animals.

The vast majority knows that you aren't supposed to interact with a Service Animal while it's on duty; it distracts them from doing their job properly and negatively affects their owners. What about ESAs? Speaking for myself, you are more than welcome to pet my ESA if you ask first. I want her to be as useful to you as she is to me.

8. Basically, any animal can be an ESA.

Don't assume that my pet doesn't emotionally support me just because it's not a stereotypical ESA. Some people find comfort in their dog, while some find it in their lizard.

9. No, my ESA cannot go everywhere I go.

Unlike a Service Animal, my ESA is a live-in pet only. She can live with me in my residence hall, visit hotels with me, and board a plane with me. Since there is no service provided, she cannot go to the store, classes, or the dining halls with me.

10. My ESA lives with me-- you do not.

If you don't like animals, you don't have to enter our room. I'm not going to put my animal up or locked away because you would prefer it. You are a guest in OUR home.

.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

19428
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

947419
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

123926
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments