US colleges welcome pets in dorms to ease students’ stress

At Eckerd College in Florida, dogs, cats and other animals are as much a part of campus life as the students themselves. The liberal arts school allows pets to live in dormitories, giving students daily companionship that eases stress, anxiety and homesickness.

“It’s like I’m not even there,” said senior Sophie Nocera, who often hears greetings for her Border collie, Zuko, while walking across campus. “People know pets’ names better than their owners.”

Across the U.S., more colleges are opening dorms to pets, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to Stephens College in Missouri. School officials say the policy not only supports student well-being but also helps them build community.

Federal law already requires colleges to allow service and emotional support animals. But a growing number of institutions now go further, setting specific guidelines for pets. MIT, for instance, permits only cats in preapproved dorm spaces. At Eckerd, pets must have been part of students’ homes for at least six months before moving to campus, and aggressive or venomous animals are barred.

The University of Northern Colorado allows dogs and cats up to 40 pounds in select residence halls, with students limited to one pet. “It’s a marker of adulthood — being able to care for another living being,” said housing director Jediah Cummins. Nursing major Molly Cheer said she chose the school partly for its pet-friendly policy. “Whenever I’m stressed, I pick up my cat Louie, and it helps,” she said.

Eckerd has hosted animals ranging from rabbits, ferrets and turtles to snakes and even a tarantula since 1973. For Nocera, Zuko provided support when she struggled with changing her major. “No matter what, I knew we’d go to the dog park the next day. That stability made a difference,” she said.

Other colleges report similar experiences. At Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, administrators say pets have helped shy students integrate into campus life. Some institutions charge pet fees, require roommate agreements or mandate liability insurance, while ensuring pets are vaccinated and restrained in public.

Eckerd even includes pets in graduation ceremonies. Nocera plans to walk across the stage with Zuko in his own pet commencement. “For those it suits, it’s so worth it,” she said.

Source: Agency