Defining Emotional Service and Emotional Support Animals

Emotional Service and Support Animals are not an excuse to keep pets in dorm rooms. For some, these animals not only grant relief from disability but access to a more fully functional life.

Tatiana Young, a third-year fashion design major from New Port Richey, Florida, was diagnosed with depression, ADD and anxiety in 2007. Her dog, Michonne, is an Emotional Service Animal. Michonne watches for signs of anxious or destructive behavior, picking up on minute cues such as an increased heartbeat and alerting Young before the symptoms can escalate to anything extreme.

“When it comes to full on panic attacks, my thing is that I curl up into a ball and hide. She’s trained to get me out of the ball, and lay on top of me until my heart rate goes down and I calm back down,” said Young.

In order to be classified as an Emotional Service Animal, an animal has to provide a service to the owner that the owner cannot provide for themselves. Michonne can legally accompany Young to class, work or anywhere else dogs might not normally be allowed because of her status as a service animal.

The other type of animal that can be seen around campus are Emotional Support Animals, which can live in the dorms but aren’t allowed the same kind of public access rights as service animals, Young explained.

Courtney Ray, third-year photography major from Ringgold, Georgia, was in a tornado when she was young, resulting in doctor-diagnosed PTSD that she suffers from today. She also has anxiety. Her dog, Penny, mainly provides companionship. Penny is a calming presence – a body to lay next to in case of a storm, to remind Ray that she’s not alone. Ray believes that living with Penny has significantly increased her quality of life.

Mental illness is a very real health concern and therapy dogs are a very real treatment plan. However, students who keep animals in the dorms but do not follow the rules set in place by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and by SCAD, only serve to discredit the experiences of people like Young and Ray.

“I can understand the skepticism, because I’ve heard of a lot of people with ‘fake illnesses,’ I guess, which makes me concerned, because my illness is very real and I go through it every day,” said Ray.

According to Jason Rigsbee, the director of Residence Life and Housing at SCAD, in order to live in the dorms, both service animals and support animals require a doctor’s note of approval, with which the school is then legally required to comply. The dogs are allowed to live in whichever dorm building that their owner does.

Rigsbee said that they work closely with both the animal owner and the fellow roommates to create a situation where all can thrive – including the animal.

“We want the animal to be healthy in the function they are about to perform,” said Rigsbee. “It is a very specific process. We meet one-on-one with the student to say, ‘here is how you provide good care and here are the things you’re responsible for.’”

Like any form of therapy, service and support animals are an evolving process, where open communication and a compassionate mindset will help everyone feel most comfortable.

Any concerns about policy violations on campus or for more information, contact a Residence Assistant or the Office of Campus Safety and Security.