Emotional support animals, or ESAs, are no longer a rare sight in college dorms as more students turn to fluffy companions for relief from anxiety, depression and other mental health struggles.
While these animals offer comfort, routine and a sense of connection, their growing presence on campus has raised questions about policy, fairness and feasibility. Students and administrators alike are navigating the benefits and challenges of ESAs — from emotional well-being to housing conflicts and social stigma — as colleges work to strike a balance between accommodation and accountability.
Students like Brittney Hanson, a senior in art design management, have found stability through the daily companionship of their animals. Hanson adopted her Siamese Bengal cat, Momo, in October 2024 after years of battling anxiety.
"Having Momo has been such a help," Hanson said. "It gives me something outside of myself to focus on, someone to care for."
Hanson also said that kind of responsibility has really helped ground her.
Sidd Todd, another student, described how her cat, Calypso, helped her manage depression and test anxiety.
"Petting her gives me this rush of calm," Todd said. "Test taking used to give me really bad anxiety. Now that she sits on my lap and calms me down, I can actually take exams without feeling like I’m spiraling."
Research supports these experiences. A 2024 study published in the Journal of American College Health found that ESAs can ease symptoms of anxiety, provide routine and serve as a comforting presence for students transitioning to college life.
These benefits can help students build a stronger sense of empowerment and motivation to care for themselves.
At schools like BYU, obtaining approval for an ESA is a detailed process.
Students must provide a letter from a licensed health provider specifying how the animal alleviates a documented disability. The letter must describe how the animal mitigates symptoms and be current within six months of the last treatment session.
Such policies are meant to ensure the legitimacy of requests, especially as some critics worry about abuse of the system or the blurry legal definitions between pets, therapy animals and service animals.
According to a review written by Melinda Phillips, the director of disability services at Mansfield University, a lack of clear distinction has led to controversy.
“Disagreements over these distinctions have sparked complaints and lawsuits across campuses nationwide,” Phillips said.
Despite the support ESAs offer, integrating them into college life isn’t without difficulty. Some students struggle to room with students with ESAs.
Hanson noted that a former roommate had to move out due to cat allergies — an issue she believes could have been avoided with better communication from apartment management.
Other students reported struggling to find ESA-friendly housing or paying more for accommodations.
“I ended up paying nearly double in rent just to have him with me,” Lilly Novero, who owns a cat, said.
According to the same 2024 study, lack of ESA education on campus, social stigma and logistical hurdles were cited as major drawbacks. Some ESA owners said they felt their disability was put on display when others treated their animal as a novelty or questioned its purpose.
Students also face challenges balancing their responsibilities.
“Getting an animal is the easiest part,” Novero said. “Budgeting, finding the proper supplies and housing must come first.”
Emotional support animals are not legally recognized in the same way service animals are.
Service dogs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), while ESAs fall under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This discrepancy often causes confusion among apartments and students, especially regarding where ESAs are allowed to be.
Some people argue that emotional support animals are used as substitutes for professional treatment and raise concerns about their impact on students with allergies or phobias. However, as Phillips notes, these concerns should not outweigh the rights of students with legitimate needs.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, students with service animals and those with allergies must both be reasonably accommodated, often through separate housing or classroom arrangements.
Given the complexity of ESA ownership, students and professionals alike emphasize the importance of preparation.
“I wouldn’t recommend getting an ESA on a whim,” Hanson said. “But if it’s something you’ve thought about and you’re prepared emotionally and financially, then I’d say go for it.”
Todd echoed this advice, urging students to try pet-sitting or spending time with a friend’s animal before committing.
“Emotional support animals aren’t just pets,” Todd said. “They’re there to help with real, persistent mental health challenges.”
Universities are now tasked with balancing student well-being, legal obligations and community concerns.
As more students seek alternative mental health support, continued education, policy clarity and empathetic campus conversations may be key to ensuring that ESAs serve their intended purpose: supporting students on their path to success.