In my junior year of college, I decided to adopt a dog and register her as my emotional support animal.

I did a lot of research before I made this choice. That’s how I do most things: research, and often times too much. I have always been anxious and overly stressed, but I wanted to make sure that having an animal would truly help and not cause me more stress.

My decision was affirmed after talking with my doctor. And, when I look at my dog everyday, I know I made the right choice. But, in full transparency, my choice has had its struggles, too. Dogs are a lot of work and cost a lot of money. I am solely financially responsible for my dog. She requires lots of walks and attention. When she was a puppy, we both had a learning curve on training. Every now and then, she causes trouble and chews something up.

This does not, and never will, overshadow how much joy she has brought me. On even my most stressful days, she is happy to see me. She encourages me to take breaks from work and go for a walk or play fetch. Her tail wags endlessly every time I walk in the door. She motivates me to get out of bed when I feel like sleeping the day away. My dog has caused me to focus on something other than myself, to be more responsible and caring.

While we have our struggles, I am overwhelmingly filled with happiness every time I come home from a long day of class and see her curled up on my bed, anxiously awaiting my return.