Photos and article by Kendra Frankle
Pia Miroquesade & Simba
In the summer of 2015, Pia Miroquesade had a heart attack at a summer camp. She now has a monitor in her heart that sends off electricity to her feet and arms when she is about to have another heart attack or faint. Simba, her trusty service dog, is able to sense the electricity before she can. This way, if something were to happen and she is unable to alert people verbally or physically, her dog can alert people for her.
Pia got Simba in Jan. 2018, and after sending him to a four-month training program, she can now take him to college so she can always have someone watching out for her. With a double major in architecture and interior design, you would think having to take care of a dog would be too much to handle, but, for Pia, it is quite manageable. Since she is taking four classes, she has a set routine for when she takes care of Simba and when she goes to classes. Her roommates help out too and everyone loves him. “He is the key stone in our friendship,” Miroquesade said. “It’s a running joke that we have that it’s Simba’s world and we’re just living in it.”
Sophia Leon & Luna
Sophia Leon lives off campus. She figured an apartment would be easier than a dorm, especially with her emotional support pig. Sophia has always wanted a pig, ever since she was little. Even though pigs seem like high maintenance, Sophia says that Luna is easygoing and chill. She is around a year old and fully grown.
When Leon got her, Luna was already potty trained, so now Leon is working on teaching her how to sit and go up and down the stairs. Luna has her own area under Leon’s bed with blankets and pillows, but at night Luna sleeps with her and apparently, she loves to cuddle.
As a photo major, Leon says it’s really fun having Luna around to do photoshoots, but when it comes to drawing and other foundation classes, it gets tricky because she likes to eat supplies. However, her favorite food is Cheetos and she doesn’t like broccoli or a lot of other green foods. According to Leon, If she could talk she would say “I’m only looking for food…to be honest”.
Mekayla Hemingway & Banquo
Mekayla Hemingway had Banquo before arriving at SCAD. She got him to help her deal with anxiety and depression. Hemingway saw a lot of people were getting bunnies and so she started researching them so she knew what to do. “You must take care of them like they are your kid,” Hemingway said.
Having Banquo helps her to stay on a schedule. He knows when Hemingway is upset and stays close by. All her roommates love him, and even if they don’t pet him, they still talk to him. Banquo definitely seems like a bunny with a fun personality. “He ignores me, because when he is listening his ears go up, but when he is ignoring me one ear will go up and one will go down,” Hemingway said.
Banquo also hates carrots and loves bananas. “I call Banquo my bougie bunny because if he gets the slightest bit dirty, he will lick every single part of his paws front and back,” Hemingway said. “He does not like a lot of things and he is particular when it comes to giving him snacks. He will not eat certain things.”
Lila Garcia & Malibu
Malibu, Lila Garcia’s adorable short and chubby golden retriever started out a family dog, but when Garcia’s doctor suggested using her as an emotional support animal, their relationship turned into something special.
Garcia has a panic disorder that involves bad panic attacks when she is stressed out. Malibu started out as a rescue-turned-therapy dog and is now professionally trained to comfort and distract, sensing when Garcia is stressed out. She will circle and huddle around Garcia to help her feel safe. Garcia says she is a positive distraction, and that they go out four times a day. “We come to Forsyth Park three times a week,” Garcia said.
Erin Sprang & Flynn
Erin Sprang has had her emotional support cat Flynn for four years now. Flynn helps with her anxiety and adjusting to new places. Balancing school and an animal isn’t hard for Sprang. She thinks that Flynn is easier than other animals because he stays inside and sleeps all day. However, Flynn also loves to be outside. In Sprang’s home state of Florida, Sprang hunted lizards and snakes.
“He’s a real big mama’s boy,” Sprang said. “He gets scared of windshield wipers and he likes singing along to the radio when I drive home. I actually had a golden receiver before him who died the month he was born so I kinda think he reincarnated into him because they have the same personality”.
