As college students settle into their new homes, many begin to realize that starting a new chapter of life can be an emotional experience. Whether it’s learning how to do laundry for the first time or adjusting to new academic policies, the first few months of college can feel overwhelming.
LSU sophomore Gissel Alvarez said she was excited to start this new era, but once her parents closed her dorm room door, she didn’t realize what struggles lay ahead.
“Two days after they left, I really started to struggle emotionally. Classes hadn’t started yet, so I hadn’t made any new friends. I was sitting in my dorm, bored and overthinking everything,” Alvarez said.
As welcome week and classes began, Alvarez started making connections and felt more confident in her journey. But when she returned to her dorm after a long day, she still felt like something was missing.
“I still felt lost and confused. Whenever I felt like this back home, I would sit and cuddle with my dog,” Alvarez said.
Before the end of her freshman year, Alvarez researched the option of having an emotional support animal (ESA) on campus. She learned that LSU changed its campus policy in 2016 to allow students to bring their furry companions to help with their mental health.
Before the start of this year, Alvarez visited a shelter to adopt her cat, Jax. To bring Jax to campus, she had to go through a long process to get him approved.
“It wasn’t easy. I had to fill out a lot of paperwork, provide documents, and attend meetings to showcase why I needed my ESA,” Alvarez said.
Once Alvarez completed the necessary paperwork, LSU’s Department of Residential Life and Disability Services closely reviewed her submission. After approval, she was able to bring Jax with her for her sophomore year.
“Jax is cute and very kind, so anytime I feel stressed, I go to him, and he gives me love and affection. It’s really nice having my ESA with me when I’m going through hard classes,” Alvarez said.
Students who feel like they are struggling with their mental health and need a furry friend for comfort can visit https://lsu.edu/housing/files/rlop11.pdf to learn more about the requirements for bringing an ESA to campus.