Life with an emotional support animal
Written by Riley Wolcott. Graphic by Riley Wolcott.
As a freshman at SCAD, I was nervous about college. It’s such a big change — new home, new schedules and new people. But luckily, I had something available to me that would be a reliable constant in my new life: my emotional support cat, Tick. Having a furry friend in the dorm has been a great help, benefitting me and even those around me.
SCAD accommodations helped get Tick approved to attend school with me. The accommodations team guided me through each step, so the process was smooth and highly encouraging, to the point that I was really looking forward to bringing him with me. Knowing I would have my cat with me eased my anxiety and improved my confidence in adjusting to school.
Since arriving at SCAD, having my cat with me has been extremely helpful in maintaining a positive outlook on the future and creating a comfortable environment in the new space. So far, he has aided me in relaxing and curbing my anxiety to a tolerable level. And not only has my cat helped me with my mental health, but he also helped me make friends.
I start most conversations with, “Hi, how are you? My name is Riley and I have a cat.” Most people react positively, and suddenly, I’ve made a friend. Most students at SCAD unfortunately had to leave their pets at home, and many of them miss those pets dearly, so having a friend with an ESA can definitely be helpful and fun. Personally, I love having friends over to play with my cat, cuddle him and even use him as their own emotional support.
“Although Tick isn’t my ESA, he definitely acts like it!” says Jesse Richards, my roommate. “Every time I enter my dorm, Tick runs up to me and I always give him a big hug. He likes to sleep on my bed when I’m working and lets me pet him which helps reduce stress. It’s also nice taking breaks from work to play with him! He lightens the mood of any day and makes everyone who comes over laugh and smile. Having an ESA can definitely boost morale and relieve anxiety. I’m always returning back to the dorm to a comforting presence.”
