The Utah State University Housing Department has recently published a rule concerning the pets on campus. Any resident with an animal found on campus without medical paperwork will immediately be fined $50, according to the most recent housing newsletter.
Three weeks before this letter was sent out, USU student Michael Stewart’s resident assistant, Emily Bassett, had warned him that his dog needed to be taken off campus.
Stewart was diagnosed five years ago with depression but has never seen a therapist. School has become more difficult throughout the fall semester and Stewart’s depression has only gotten worse.
Stewart had heard that dogs could help with depression so he adopted one.
“Both dogs and cats have been used as therapy animals,” said Dr. Andrew Petes, a therapist at USU.
After a week of having his new pet, Stewart’s depression had all but disappeared. However, housing rules forced Stewart to keep his dog somewhere off campus.
Stewart has been attending therapy sessions at the USU Psychology Community Clinic for two months and is currently in the process of officiating his dog.
Before a resident is allowed to have a dog on campus, they must go through multiple therapy sessions. In these sessions, the therapist will determine whether not a pet will help the patient, according to Petes. When it has been decided that a pet would help, the patient will receive paperwork that must be turned into the USU Disabilities Center. The resident will then obtain a note that they must show to their resident assistant. When the resident assistant receives this note, the resident may bring a therapy animal on to campus.
“The dog is adorable,” Bassett said. “I really hope he is able to get the correct paperwork. I would love to see this dog all the time.”
According to Shannon Jolley, USU housing director, there have been many complaints of people owning animals without correct paperwork.
“It’s hard to for me to tell these families that they have to get rid of their pets,” Jolley said.
Stewart hopes that his paperwork goes through fast so his dog will be able to come back.
s. gregson
