Introduction
Emotional support animals play a vital role in supporting the mental health treatment and recovery of their owners. Some would argue that bringing emotional support animals to class may enhance the learning experience and, consequently, academic performance. Meanwhile, others would insist this can prove a distraction and may endanger the health of others. This paper aims to reconcile the argument on whether support animals should be brought to college classes and address the concerns of all stakeholders.
Support Animals in College: Pros and Cons
The presence of emotional support animals during classes can be of great assistance to their owners. Transition to college is a particularly demanding time for many young people, and the stress of a new environment may lead to them taking a break from their education or dropping out (Weinshenker). Furthermore, research suggests that ownership of pets, in general, is correlated with decreased stress levels and, as a result, increased academic performance (Woehr and Newman 9). It should be noted that people with registered emotional support animals have already been found to require additional assistance. Therefore, considering the impact of having a pet and the challenges of college life, allowing emotional support animals on campus is instrumental in securing a positive educational experience.
However, concerns can be raised about the impact animals on campus can have on others. Even though they are trained to behave, they are likely to draw attention to themselves. In addition, fraud should be addressed, with students bringing animals that have not received training and cannot legally work in a support capacity. Such pets may cause disruptions as they may misbehave in the presence of new people and other animals. Furthermore, as most support animals are dogs, their presence may jeopardize the health and well-being of people with allergies. Although some allergic reactions may be light, others can be quite severe and life-threatening. Thus, the ban of emotional support animals from college campuses is a sound decision as it tackles a health and safety concern.
The complete ban on emotional support animals on college campuses fails to address the needs of those who require assistance. However, it is possible to reach a consensus that could be beneficial for all involved. When living on campus, schools can offer students separate pet-friendly accommodations (Carrasco). In addition, proof of training should be provided for all animals to be allowed on campus. When it comes to bringing these pets to class, students should request permission from the professor and ensure that there are no people with allergies in the same category. All students should be informed about the presence of a support animal before the start of the semester.
Conclusion
In summary, the issue of whether students should be permitted to attend college classes with their support animals is complex but resolvable. By considering the two sides of the argument, a solution that is beneficial to both can be found. Therefore, requesting training documentation, restricting campus living to an assigned pet-friendly building, and requiring notice of attending classes with animals can help address the issue.
Works Cited
Carrasco, Maria. “More Students Bring Pets to Campus for Emotional Support.” Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs. 2021. Web.
Weinshenker, Naomi. “Do College Students Really Need Emotional Support Animals?” Psychology Today, 2021. Web.
Woehr, Andrea, and Kristin Newman. “Effects of Dog Ownership and Academic Success: A Correlational Study.” Journal of Student Research, vol. 9, no. 1, 2020, pp. 1-11.