Local universities support emotional support animals

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - The move to college is often very stressful for students. Now local universities are trying to help ease the transition by supporting a sometimes controversial mental health treatment option.

For Sam Hojnowski, a sophomore at La Salle University, her cat Lace has made dealing with crippling anxiety a little easier.

Hojnowski says her freshman year was challenging, and said that there were some mornings where her anxiety kept her in bed.

But now her 9-month-old kitten has helped ease those worries.

"He gives me a sense of purpose to get up and do things with my day," said Hojnowski.

Lace is a emotional support animal, or ESA, deemed necessary by medical professionals.

"Something about the sensory touch is helpful for a lot of people, and something about feeling less alone because we know isolation can make people feel down and depressed," said Dr. Thea Gallagher.

Unlike service animals, Lace and other ESA animals do not have any special training and can range in size from peacocks to lizards. This sometimes exotic variety of ESA options has lead to an increase in national ridicule.

Restaurants, airlines and many other organizations are tightening the rules on the types of animals available to qualify for ESA. College campuses, however, remain open to the idea.

"We know by research that animals make you feel positive, they teach you how to care and love something, there is a routine piece to having an animal. Why would we not welcome something that is going to help our students be more successful," said Dr. Dawn Soufleris of La Salle University.

According to the Higher Education Research Institute, mental health issues among teens has nearly tripled since 1985, when only 18% of college freshman reported feeling overwhelmed. Today 41% say they have anxiety.

"Generationally, as students evolve, their needs evolve too," said Dr. T.J. Ford of Temple University.

Hojnowski says Lace has given her confidence to overcome the stress and pressure of college.

"I didn't really go out socially as much, I didn't join as many clubs, because I was too anxious to, so I feel like I would still be in that place not really making as many friends."