Article by Alyse Phillips

Drury’s beautiful campus has an expansive variety of unique and adorable animals, not including the squirrels, birds and rabbits wandering around on Drury lane. Meet some of your furry neighbors below!

Name: Bentley

Nickname: Bent-Meister, Mr. Bent, Little Nugget

Type of Animal/Breed: Guinea Pig

Age: 1 Year

Fun Fact: “His favorite treats are baby carrots and he will sometimes nibble on your fingers to make sure they aren’t carrots.”

How did you meet/get your pet?: “I struggle with anxiety and other mental illnesses and found out about ESAs from the disability office. I got him on October 1, 2016.”

Name: Snickerdoodle

Nickname: Doodle, Mr. Munchy, Stinkerdoodle

Type of Animal/Breed: French Angora Rabbit

Age: 10 Months

Fun Fact: “He won first place at last year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.”

How did you meet/get your pet?: “He was a Christmas present from my sister.”

Name: Socks

Nickname: Just Socks, sometimes darling

Type of Animal/Breed: Domestic short-haired cat

Age: 8 Years

Fun Fact:  “His favorite food group is plastic. He also enjoys sleeping on my head and sticking his head in my cereal bowl.”

How did you meet/get your pet?: “I met socks last year when I was really depressed about being so far from home. I went to the humane society and played with him. I made it my goal to bring him home with me and love him. I went and visited every day until my paperwork was finalized to bring him on campus. I didn’t want anyone else to have him. Socks has given me a sense of life, love, and happiness. My friends all want to come over and see him. He’s been my best friend since the day I met him.”

Name: Pineapple

Nickname: Pine

Type of Animal/Breed: Hedgehog

Age: 7 Months

Fun Fact: “Pineapple does a variety of things whenever he is around different people. Whenever he met one of my friends, he was really friendly and then went to the bathroom on her. Whenever Pineapple is around my boyfriend he always bites him. It keeps things interesting.”

How did you meet/get your pet: “I got Pineapple as a gift to myself for my 21st birthday. Follow me on twitter for all the hedgehog feed @lindseyloo96.”

Name: Oaklee

Nickname: Oaks, Oak-leaf, Oaklee-Pokely

Type of Animal/Breed: Dog, Terrier/Schnauzer Mix

Age: 8 Months

Fun Fact: “She gets the hiccups almost every morning, and the only way to get rid of them is to come up with new and creative ways to startle her.”

How did you meet/get your pet?: “I knew I wanted to adopt, so I adopted her from a shelter in Buffalo called HFLCS. It was the typical ‘I fell in love as soon as I saw her’ type of thing.”

Name: Malory

Nickname: Mal, Mally, Mally-Moo

Type of Animal/Breed: Dog, Basenji Mix

Age: 2 Years

Fun Fact: “Malory loves peanut butter and belly rubs. She is an expert climber.”

Drury’s pet policy includes a pet friendly housing option on the first floor of the Jefferson apartments. Many of the pets featured above, however, are allowed under a different policy.

Emotional Support Animals, or ESAs, are companion animals that a medical professional has determined provides benefit for an individual with a disability. While ESAs serve a variety of different purposes, ESAs are instrumental in fighting depression and anxiety.

ESAs have exploded in popularity. Many medical professionals recognize the immense benefit of having animals for people with anxiety or depression.

Doubt the results? Ask your peers about their experiences. Shylie Miller is Malory’s mom, and she believes that her ESA has greatly improved her life. “Malory just really keeps me grounded,” said Miller. “When I’m feeling especially depressed and I don’t want to get out of bed, I know that’s not an option because she needs me to get up and take care of her. She gets me outside in the sun, and that’s really good for me. She comforts me when I’m upset with endless cuddles and kisses. And lastly, she’s helped me with talking to new people. When I’m walking around with her, people stop us and ask if they can pet her.”

And not all ESAs are dogs! Samara Ribbens responded similarly about Bentley the Guinea Pig, saying, “The first time I held him he snuggled right in, and I felt my heart rate slow and my body relax. He helps keep me company and it’s super relaxing to pet and snuggle him. He’s silly too and can really talk once he gets going, so he makes me smile. Focusing on loving and taking care of him also helps me not get lost in my thoughts.”

Rita Vega was also asked about her experience with Snickerdoodle the bunny. She responded, “He’s always happy to see me, and after a stressful day it’s really great to come home to a friendly face,” said Vega. “Just brushing his fur is comforting, and I can always count on him to give me kisses before I go to sleep.”

Many Drury students have benefited emotionally from their service animal, and other Drury students hope to see them on campus. If you or someone you know suffers from depression or anxiety and could benefit from an ESA, contact Ed Derr in the counseling office.