Americans have embraced the idea that companion animals bring comfort and joy: not just puppies but rabbits, pot-bellied pigs, cockatiels, ferrets, ball pythons, iguanas and even tarantulas. The specific species matters less than the role these animals play in restoring calm and lowering stress—whether at home, in the workplace, or on campus.
While professional counseling and psychiatric care are essential for many students, pets can serve as a meaningful complement to formal treatment. The effect is partly intuitive—stroking a cat or feeding a small animal can lift spirits—but research also supports this practice. A systematic review published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, for example, found that animal-assisted interventions may be a useful complementary option for trauma-related care.
At the University of California, Berkeley, animals are being accommodated in on-campus housing under established federal statutes: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Each law sets specific criteria for when animals may live with students in residence halls.
“The Americans with Disabilities Act covers people with psychological disabilities and permits only dogs and, in limited cases, miniature horses,” explains Aaron Cohen, a staff psychologist with Berkeley’s residential and student services. “Under ADA rules, those animals must be trained to respond to a person’s specific needs—alerting a student who missed medication or gently interrupting a manic episode, for example.”
By contrast, emotional support animals fall under the Fair Housing Act and may include a wider variety of species, Cohen says. Documentation from a qualified professional is required to show that a student’s condition would make it difficult to live in residence without the animal, but these animals are not required to perform trained tasks.
Animals approved under either statute are still expected to follow the same basic behavioral standards that apply to human residents: no aggressive behavior, no creating safety hazards, and proper waste control. “If an animal’s or owner’s behavior becomes a nuisance or a danger to the community—excessive noise, failure to manage waste—staff will work with students to mitigate the impact,” says Adam Ratliff, the university’s critical communications manager.
College housing has seen some unusual requests—from large pigs to exotic reptiles—but most documented approvals are for small, manageable companion animals. Since the start of the academic year, the university reports having approved documented requests for service and emotional support animals, most commonly dogs and cats. The type of animal does not change the review process: documentation and demonstrated need remain the focus.
Demand for mental health support on campuses has grown sharply in recent years. National surveys and campus reports indicate rising rates of depression and anxiety among students, and increasing use of counseling services. For many students at competitive universities, the environment can feel isolating and high-pressure. Companion animals offer immediate, informal relief—reducing stress, lowering feelings of loneliness, and providing predictable, calming social interaction.
To meet broad student needs, Berkeley’s University Health Services partners with local animal organizations to offer public “pet therapy” events—bringing shelter dogs to Sproul Plaza during the semester and especially around finals. These drop-in events are open to the entire campus and are consistently popular as a low-cost, high-impact way to lower stress.
Cohen notes that conversations about emotional support animals have been ongoing for many years, and evaluation guidelines remain a work in progress. It is usually more straightforward to evaluate documented psychological disabilities under ADA criteria than to judge claims for emotional support, which can be more subjective.
Is there potential for misuse? Yes—people could claim an emotional need when none exists—but Cohen emphasizes that abuse has not been a widespread problem on campus. “There can be edge cases—airline incidents and headline-grabbing stories—but in housing, the balance is to enforce guidelines while supporting students who have legitimate needs. The law requires accommodation when appropriate documentation is provided.”
Campus attitudes toward animals in residence vary, but many students favor reasonable accommodations as long as pet ownership does not harm roommates or neighbors. Suggested compromises include designating specific floors for animal owners or creating communal pet spaces where students can interact with animals without bringing them into every dorm room.
“I think students should be able to have emotional support animals because Berkeley is stressful,” says Danny Chera, a freshman. “Animals help you step away from constant pressure and give you something steady and comforting. They can really make a difference.”
Other students who are less enthusiastic still support accommodations for those who need them. “I personally wouldn’t want a pet in my room, especially at night,” says Hosefa Basrai, another freshman. “But if someone needs an emotional support animal, they should have access to one.”
For many students, the bond with an animal provides an important coping resource that cannot always be replicated by human relationships. As one resident put it, people of any age can benefit from the steady companionship animals provide. Universities are continuing to refine policies that respect the rights of students with disabilities while balancing community health and safety.
Source: Glen Martin, Marica Petrey and Maris Harmon – UC Berkeley
Image Source: The image is adapted from the UC Berkeley article
Original Research: “Animal-Assisted Intervention for trauma: a systematic literature review” by Marguerite E. O’Haire, Noémie A. Guérin and Alison C. Kirkham, published in Frontiers in Psychology (2015). This open-access review examined studies of animal-assisted interventions for trauma, including survivors of child abuse and military veterans, and reported reductions in depression, PTSD symptoms and anxiety while calling for more rigorous research to establish clear protocols.
Abstract
Animal-Assisted Intervention for trauma: a systematic literature review
Animals have long been part of psychiatric care, and the empirical study of animal-assisted intervention (AAI) has increased in recent years. This systematic review of AAI for trauma—including posttraumatic stress disorder—identified ten qualifying studies. Participants were primarily survivors of child abuse and military veterans. Intervention methods and animal species varied, with dogs and horses most common. Reported outcomes frequently included reductions in depression, PTSD symptoms and anxiety. Methodological rigor was generally low, highlighting the preliminary nature of the field. The authors conclude that AAI shows promise as a complementary treatment for trauma but recommend further research to confirm feasibility, efficacy, and standardized protocols.