By Kaya McCory / Staff Writer

With a growing demand for mental health support on college campuses, Emotional Support Animals have had a major effect on Missouri Valley College students. 

MVC allows ESA’s in compliance with the Fair Housing Act and it has shown several impacts since the policy was put in place. 

“A positive, I understand, I have my own dogs that are good company,” Director of Accessibility and Disability Services, Debbie Coleman, said. “If you’re homesick or you’re stressing out about classes, it’s nice to have that animal to get unconditional love.”

Coleman explained that it’s important to determine if the positives outweigh the negatives.

“I mean animals are a lot of work,” she said. “I know when I was in college, I was doing good just taking care of myself, much less trying to take care of another living thing.”

Student Catalina Ramirez, who experienced the beginning of college without an ESA, emphasizes how it changed her time here at Valley.

“Without my ESA, I felt like I was missing a part of home. My routine at school was boring and repetitive,” she said. “After having my ESA, my routine differs from day to day and keeps life interesting.”

She shared that her ESA cat, Spook, makes her life feel complete by giving her a sense of comfort and purpose. 

Ramirez stressed the importance of ESAs while also bringing awareness to the costs. 

“I would recommend to any students who are struggling to get an ESA, or find a friend who has one,” she said. “College can be rough financially; make sure you are financially stable before getting an ESA.”

Junior student Daytona Blaine experienced college life before and after getting his ESA dog and shared similar feelings to Ramirez.

“Without my ESA, I had nothing to do. I was always stressing over little things and I missed my dog most of the time. I didn’t like it,” he said. “Now I have my companion, he’s my best friend.”

Blaine enjoys being a student on campus with an ESA for more reasons than just one

“To have an ESA is so much fun, you’re never alone and you always have someone right there,” he said. “Plus, you get to see people smile when they see your dog and the look on their faces, it always makes you smile.”

For any information regarding emotional support animals for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, contact colemand@moval.edu