Wallie and Me Take on College

Having an emotional support animal (ESA) is one of the greatest gifts in my world. I've had my ESA with me at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg from the first day I moved into Lycoming Hall my freshman year. His name is Wallie, whom I named after my favorite country music artist, Morgan Wallen. Wallie is a very soft, fluffy, happy, playful, and spoiled bunny. 

But above all else, he's my furry best friend. 

Having Wallie with me throughout my college years has made my experience so much more memorable, meaningful, and healthy. I couldn't imagine going through college without him.

My days at Bloomsburg are better, brighter, happier, and more fulfilling because of Wallie. He wakes me up early every morning so he can eat his pellets, which is his favorite meal of the day. Then, we eat lunch together. I normally eat a sandwich from Husky Lounge, and he eats a fresh, organic gourmet salad that I prepare for him. 

We spend a lot of time together in between my classes, internship, RA responsibilities, club meetings, and lacrosse practices. He has a very spacious, nice area set up in my room full of his blankets, plush beds, treats, toys, tunnels, his hay and water, and more. He's very happy living in Bloomsburg. 

Wallie is my faithful and loyal companion and has been with me throughout everything I've been through and experienced at college. Together, we embrace what it truly means to be a Husky.

When I was in my senior year of high school, I knew I wanted to bring an ESA with me to school. Ever since I was born, I've been living in a house full of pets. I currently have seven pets at home, including cats, dogs, and fish. I have a very close and tight-knit family, and we're all big animal lovers. 

I knew moving hours away and being on my own would be a tough transition going from what I had had for the past eighteen years to being in a small room by myself. I wanted to bring a part of my home with me to provide me with comfort, love, and emotional support. Wallie is the perfect ESA to have with me away at school. He's super easy going, adaptable, loving, and is just happy to be around me. 

We have an extremely close connection and an unbreakable bond. We've been inseparable since day one. He is very smart for a bunny and is in-tune to my feelings and emotions. When I'm happy, he hops around and jumps in the air and plays with his toys, but when I'm upset, he thumps and makes it known that he understands and is in sync with me.

After I was set on bringing Wallie, it was time for me to contact the university disability services (UDS) office on campus to get the ESA approval process started. Bloomsburg does allow approved ESAs to live with residents on campus, which is really amazing. This was another reason I chose to go to Bloomsburg because I knew I would be able to have Wallie with me. 

There are some schools that don't allow you to have animals on campus, so it's important to figure that option out before committing to college. Some people might not know what an ESA is or that Bloomsburg allows approved ESAs on campus, which is why I want to share my story and spread the word so more people can benefit from having an ESA with them. 

Having Wallie with me at college truly has made my college experience the best. If you're an animal lover or have an ESA you want to share your college experience with, know that it's a possibility.

Erin Heidlauf, who is the assistant director of disability services, has been so genuine, supportive, kind, understanding, and helpful to me even before I got to Bloomsburg. She's helped me so much, probably more than she will ever know, and I so appreciate her kindness and willingness to help me. She has helped me with all of my accommodations and has made my time here at Bloomsburg so much better. I hope that more Huskies start exploring the ESA process and are able to reap the benefits of having a furry companion with them to bring some comfort and support during their college years and beyond.

— Lillie Corino, a senior business administration and communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis in management and organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications this fall. She's a native of Bucks County who enjoys spending time with her family, pets, ESA, watching Friends, seeing Morgan Wallen in concert, playing lacrosse, and going shopping with her mom.

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