Emotional Support Animals in College and University Housing

Emotional support animals are increasingly common in residence halls. This study examines the benefits and challenges of having an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) while living in campus housing, from the perspective of the animals' owners and their roommates. Using a mixed methods case study approach, we collected qualitative and quantitative data via an online survey and in-person focus groups. The following themes emerged as benefits of emotional support animals, as identified by participants: improved or maintained mental health, motivation to take care of oneself, and increased social interactions. Challenges included having to disclose one's mental health diagnosis, needing to educate others about their emotional support animal, sharing it with others, ESA-related expenses, availability of pet supplies, barriers to respite care, transportation and parking difficulties, potential pet loss, and the difficulty of obtaining a letter from a health professional as part of the application process to have an ESA on campus. Despite these challenges, participants reported that the mental, social, and physical health benefits of having an emotional support animal far outweighed the challenges and helped them function personally and academically. [Discussion questions developed by Laura Glasgow.]