University life often promises growth, discovery, and newfound freedom. But for many students, it also brings a perfect storm of stressors: rigorous academics, social pressures, financial strain, and separation from familiar support systems. According to the Healthy Minds Study, over 60% of college students met criteria for at least one mental-health concern during the 2020–21 academic year, and nearly 75% reported moderate to severe psychological distress American Psychological AssociationU-M School of Public Health. It’s no wonder that rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout have soared on campuses nationwide.

Enter “Jennifer,” a second-year biomedical-engineering student at a large university. Though she’d always excelled academically and maintained an active social circle, by mid-December she felt “completely overwhelmed.” Late-night study marathons left her exhausted; imposter syndrome left her feeling like she wasn’t good enough; and homesickness tugged at her focus. When she took a brief medical leave for stress-related illness, Jennifer resolved: “I could have waited forever for the perfect moment, but I was desperate for a change.”

Common Struggles Students Face

1. Academic Pressure & Perfectionism

Over half of students report academic challenges as their top stressor, with 76% citing procrastination and 51% noting difficulties with coursework College Transitions. High achievers often suffer imposter syndrome—feeling undeserving of their success—which can lead to chronic anxiety and self-doubt Edutopia.

2. Loneliness & Social Adjustment

Leaving home can trigger intense loneliness. First-year students in particular report difficulty forming meaningful connections, contributing to feelings of isolation and hopelessness—factors tied to higher risk of depression and even suicidal ideation WebMD.

3. Mental-Health Resource Gaps

Campus counseling centers struggle to meet demand. The National Education Association notes that while most students meet criteria for a mental-health issue, counseling centers are overwhelmed, with long waitlists and few available appointments National Education Association | NEA.

4. Balancing Work, Study, and Life

Many students juggle part-time jobs, caregiving responsibilities, and coursework. For those supporting family members with chronic illness or dementia, the stress compounds—yet these caregivers often neglect their own well-being Cleveland Clinic.

How an ESA Helped Jennifer Navigate University Life

University Life Before an Emotional Support Animal

When Jennifer started medical school, she was excited but quickly found herself overwhelmed. She had always loved animals and was becoming more aware of the importance of mental health and self-care—especially in a demanding academic environment. But despite her interest in the topic, she found it difficult to open up to providers about her own struggles, which included anxiety, depression, and challenges adjusting socially.

A major setback during her first term forced her to take a leave of absence. After being diagnosed with a tumor and facing a long recovery, Jennifer found herself grappling with a mix of physical and emotional hurdles. Upon returning to school, starting over with a new class only deepened her sense of isolation. Many of her classmates were at different stages in life, and she struggled to rebuild meaningful connections, often feeling distant or unsure of where she fit in.

Although she had cats, Jennifer felt something was missing. “I wanted something that would really love me,” she said. “Something that needed me as much as I needed it.” Growing up with golden retrievers, she missed the comfort and affection that dogs provided—something more nurturing and connected than what her cats could offer.

Despite the chaos of med school and ongoing uncertainty, Jennifer realized there might never be a “perfect moment” to make a change. After reflecting on what she truly needed for her mental well-being, she took the leap and got a dog—a decision that would mark the beginning of a significant shift in her life.

The Turning Point: Getting Support Through an ESA Letter

Jennifer first heard about emotional support animals from a classmate, shortly after she brought her dog home. They mentioned that registering her pet as an ESA could help with housing-related issues—something Jennifer was already feeling the weight of. “I was paying around $600 in pet fees for my cats, and I couldn’t really afford that as a student,” she said.

Once she received her ESA letter, the impact was immediate—even if it wasn’t dramatic. “I really only used it for housing,” she said. “But that was the main thing I needed it for.” Having the letter meant she could keep her pets without paying steep fees or worrying about restrictions, which lifted a major financial and emotional burden.

More broadly, her dog changed the rhythm of her everyday life. “Med school can feel like an endless loop—study, eat, sleep, repeat,” Jennifer said. “But having a dog forced me to break that cycle. I had to get outside, take walks, and be active. It reminded me to take care of myself.”

It wasn’t just about structure. The presence of her ESA gave Jennifer something to care for—and something that cared back. That simple, mutual relationship became a daily source of comfort, motivation, and balance amid the intensity of school life.

Why Jennifer Chose Pettable

When Jennifer first started researching how to get an emotional support animal letter, Pettable stood out right away. A quick Google search led her to Pettable, which stood out right away. “I didn’t really look at other options,” Jennifer admitted. “It was at the top, it looked simple, and it clearly laid out what the process was.” Since she didn’t have a primary care provider or a therapist in her new city—and wasn’t eager to go through the process of establishing that relationship—she was drawn to how straightforward Pettable made it. The money-back guarantee if she was denied added an extra layer of reassurance.

That first impression held true throughout the process. Booking an appointment was simple, the website was user-friendly, and scheduling a call fit easily into her busy routine. “I’d jump on calls between studying or in those little 15–20-minute gaps between classes,” she said. “It was really direct and even kind of fun—personable enough that I could chat and laugh a little.”

But what surprised her most was how personal the experience felt. “I was honestly expecting something kind of impersonal—like rotating through different providers who wouldn’t really remember me,” Jennifer admitted. “But I had the same provider each time, and he actually remembered what we talked about. It felt more like a real therapy session than I expected.”

That continuity helped her feel seen—not just as a student trying to get through school, but as someone navigating a real emotional journey. “Sometimes people forget that pets really do help with mental health,” she said. “But that support can still be denied if you can’t prove you need the animal. What I appreciated was that Pettable actually listened and took the impact seriously.”

For Jennifer, working with Pettable wasn’t just about paperwork—it was about feeling validated in her experience, supported through the process, and cared for as a person.

Navigating Student Housing with an ESA

If you are a student that finds yourself in in the same spot as Jennifer, you should know that an emotional support animal is an option for you too. Navigating student housing, juggling your coursework, and adapting to a new phase of your life can be an extremely stressful and anxiety-inducing experience. Whether its your childhood pet that you want to take along with you on your new journey, or a new furry friend to keep you company throughout your academics, an ESA letter could be your path to keeping them with you.

Here are just a few o the benefits of getting an ESA letter for your pet:

• You can waive pet fees and move into residence halls with your ESA.
• The breed, species, weight, or size of your emotional support animal can not be restricted (within reason, no elephants unfortunately!)
• Landlords and university housing offices must make reasonable accommodations for you and your ESA under the FHA.
  

Why Pettable Is the #1 Choice for an ESA Letter

While an ESA can transform student well-being, obtaining legitimate documentation has traditionally been a hurdle. Pettable removes that barrier through:

1. Simple, Straightforward, and Fast

Whether you are in university or struggling to manage the many challenges life throws your way, time can be a valuable (and limited!) resource. Pettable takes the hassle of finding the right therapist out of the equation, connecting you directly with qualified, licensed professionals who are experienced in writing ESA letters for clients.

To get started, all you need is to take a quick, 3-minute online pre-assessment to see if an ESA letter is right for you. 

"I think the process was super simple. If I didn't wanna get dressed, I could have done it in my pajamas, you know what I mean? It was nice!"

2. Legitimate & Compassionate Care from Real Professionals

An ESA letter is more than just paperwork—it’s a meaningful step in your mental health journey and should be approached with care and respect. For many it may even be their first experience with therapy or mental health care.

We put your mental health first by working exclusively with licensed, compassionate professionals who are committed to supporting your well-being.

“It wasn’t just, ‘Here’s your letter,’” Jennifer recalls. “It felt like a mini-therapy session.”

3. Guaranteed Protection or Your Money Back

Within 24–48 hours of approved by the clinician we connect you with you’ll receive a fully compliant ESA letter via email—no clinics, no waiting rooms.

Pettable only partners with vetted, HIPAA-compliant clinicians, ensuring every letter meets Fair Housing Act requirements—granting ESAs protected status in campus and off-campus housing . Plus, a 100% money-back guarantee if your letter isn’t accepted or you are denied an ESA letter by the clinician removes any financial risk.

"I was hesitant to spend the moeny on it without knowing if it would work. But the guarantee, it was reassuring to me, so I was very comfortable making the decision."

(note: some states such as California may require you to establish a 30-day relationship with the ESA letter provider, for more info on your state visit our states information pages)

Community Endorsements

Still unsure, no need to take our or Jennifers word for it! Pettable’s combination of speed, legitimacy, and personalized care has sparked praise across online communities:

“I used Pettable for my ESA. They have their own therapists licensed in your state that do an phone session with you and will give you your money back if the letter doesn't work. It was worth every penny.” - u/blu_lotus on r/pitbulls

“I actually did go through a site, Pettable - and they do pair you with a local therapist to do the assessment and yes my rental company did waive pet fee of $500 and $50/month and they accepted larger pets (over 20lbs) because of my letter. I do have a 20 yr history of mental illness (clinical depression and now anxiety due to my diagnosis of MS) and the therapist took that into account.” - u/Ok-Aerie-5676 on r/disability

“I did the pettable esa website. It was super easy and they assign you to a medical professional/ therapist. It took 15 minutes when I did my phone call appointment. They will also refund your money if for whatever reason your landlord doesn’t respect it.” - u/JadedRetailLady on r/flagstaff

A Broader Impact: Beyond Student Life

While Jennifer’s story centers on academic stress, emotional support animals offer therapeutic benefits to a range of caregivers:

• Classmates looking after siblings with autism or relatives with dementia have found ESAs to be grounding companions Cleveland Clinic.
  
• Student-athletes, facing performance pressure and stigma around mental-health care, can use ESAs to manage anxiety before competitions Student Life.
  

Jennifer has shared Pettable’s resources in her student-caregiver support group, hopeful that her peers—no matter their stressor—can find the same comfort she did.

Key Takeaways for University Students

1. Acknowledge the Strain: Recognize stress, isolation, and academic pressure as serious—but treatable—challenges.
   
2. Build Micro-Breaks: Use your ESA to enforce healthy pauses, boosting focus and lowering cortisol.
   
3. Choose Pettable for Your ESA Letter: A painless 20-minute consult, digital delivery, and licensed clinicians mean you get legitimate documentation—fast.
   
4. Understand Your Rights: Armed with an FHA-compliant ESA letter, you can petition for on-campus housing accommodations and fee waivers.
   
5. Spread the Word: If ESAs helped you, share Pettable’s links with friends, caregivers, and student-athlete groups.
   

“Don’t wait for perfect,” Jennifer advises. “Start your self-care journey today.”

With a dedicated “self-care coach” at her side and Pettable’s streamlined, student-friendly process, Jennifer has reclaimed balance—one wag, one study break, and one honest conversation at a time.