The Importance of Emotional Support Animals

Photos provided by Rampage student photographer Nathan LePere.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an emotional support animal (ESA) is any animal that provides emotional support, alleviating one or more symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. 

So how might ESAs be used on the Bluefield University campus, and who needs an ESA? Emily Cook, BU’s director of counseling services, said it really depends on the student.

“It can be different for everyone,” Cook said. “We think about ESAs as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, and we want all our students to be supported in order for them to be happy, healthy, and well. Some students would benefit by an ESA, but others would not. So we take it on a case-by-case basis.”

Cook added that ESAs can help regulate emotions, decrease stress levels, encourage students to get out of their rooms, decrease loneliness, and create a sense of purpose.

“I am supportive of whatever supports our students,” said Cook when asked about her thoughts on the use of emotional support animals. “ESAs can be a great tool to manage mental health, but it is a tool. We want to make sure that students are still supported by attending sessions and checking in on their progress.”

Emotional support animals are welcome on the Bluefield University campus in East River Hall if recommended by a therapist and by going through the application and acceptance process with the residence life staff. 

Erin Bowers, a sophomore living in East River Hall, has an emotional support cat named Ezra, who is two years old and was adopted from the Tazewell County Animal Shelter. Bowers said that having Ezra has helped her stay motivated on the days she doesn’t want to get out of bed, stay calm when she is worried or stressed out, feel safe and not alone, and be an overall great furry friend.

“Being able to have Ezra on campus with me has been one of my biggest blessings,” Bowers said. “God works all things in his time, and Ezra and I were just meant to be.”

For more information about the use of an emotional support animal on campus, contact Cook or your resident assistant (RA) or resident hall director (RHD).