Animals on the Fort
From service dogs to emotional support animals (ESAs) and regular pets, Fort Lewis College students have a unique relationship with their animals.
The two types of animals allowed on campus are service dogs and ESAs, Dian Jenkins, director of Disability Services at FLC, said.
ESAs support their owner’s mental health disability by providing comfort and are allowed to live in their on-campus housing with them, Jenkins said. ESAs must be approved by the Disability Services office.
Unlike service dogs, ESAs do not have to be dogs, she said. The animal is individualized to suit the mental health disability and needs of the person they provide comfort to.
ESAs are limited to on-campus housing, as opposed to service dogs, she said. Service dogs have public access rights where other animals are prohibited, due to their training.
“A service dog performs a task for their person based on what that person is unable to do for themselves,” Jenkins said.
An ESA requires no special training to live with their owner, and cannot go in public places where animals are restricted, she said.
“Service dogs are working dogs.” Jenkins said. “They should not be approached, talked to, or petted.”
If someone has concerns about the presence of a service dog in class with them, such as an allergy or phobia of dogs, they should inform the instructor of their issue, she said.
Students and Pets
Adopting animals remains popular with FLC students even without these special classes of animals for disabilities, said Chris Nelson, Director of Animal Services at La Plata County Humane Society (LPCHS).
LPCHS used to not allow FLC students to adopt pets, but have been easing up on the restrictions, allowing students to adopt now, he said.
There are financial concerns that must be addressed as well if a student adopts a pet, said Kassy Keough, a veterinarian assistant at Riverview Animal Hospital.This includes the cost of vaccinations, leashes and bowls paid for by the student.
There are also behavioral health concerns for the pet as well, she said. Cats generally adapt well to apartment living, while still providing companionship, but dogs are less independent and may develop neurotic and destructive behavior if left alone too long.
Post-college life should be the main concern for both pet and owner, Nelson said.
“You have to think about your future, and the future of the pet,” Keough said.
It is a common story to hear that a pet has been handed over to the parents of a former college student because factors such as career expectations and family structure have changed, she said. It also is not uncommon to hear of cats being abandoned when their owners leave town.
They have to be thinking about where they are going to be living once they are done with school, Nelson said.
“We see a lot of animals surrendered when students are graduating,” he said.
Students need to be aware of the financial costs, not only of caring for the animal, but the results if they do not, she said. The treatment for parvo, a potentially lethal but preventable disease, is about $2,000-3,000.
The Durango area has problems with fleas, ticks and a cardiac parasite known as heartworm, Keough said. Heartworm can be potentially lethal to a dog if it advances far enough, but fleas, ticks and heartworms are all preventable with medication.
Potential costs also include a first-aid kit for the animal, especially if they are a hiking companion, she said.
Items that should go in a dog’s first-aid kit include bandage material, Neosporin, Benadryl, and potentially even dog boots, Keough said.
Sharing walking responsibility for a dog with a friend is also one way to get around the potential behavioral issues of a dog with apartment living, she said.
If a student cannot adopt a dog or cat, they can volunteer to share the duty of walking the dogs or playing with the cats at the humane society, Nelson said. It’s a $25 Humane Society membership fee per year to do so.
If they cannot make a long-term commitment to adopting an animal but are able to house young puppies and kittens, they can foster for a few weeks at a time, he said.
“It’s like being a grandparent.” he said. “You get to spoil them and give them back.”