Blue tongue Skink as an emotional support animal?

[Slapshot]

Hi there!

I'm going back to college in the fall time. I will have to dorm, as the college is about three hours away from my house. Would it plausible to register my bts as an emotional support animal? I have diagnosed depressions and anxiety and he helps me a lot as a purpose to live and a way to stay in the present moment. I would be forced to give him away as well, since my parents won't take care of him when I'm away.

[Janella]

Hi, you would probably have to check with your college to see if they would allow your skink in as an emotional support animal. If so then you would need legal paper work from your doctor. If for some reason they wouldn't, I am sure it will be very hard to give up your skink. Is there a family member that could take your skink while you are at school? A close friend? A member that lives close to you? Let me know how things go and good luck.

[MaddyKay99]

Yes, if you go to a doctor and get all of the paperwoek which should not be hard if you are diagnosed with the conditions that you say you are then you can definitely get him certified as your ESA. Your college would have to allow you to have him in the dorm legally

[splashy07]

I'm sure the paperwork and such can be worked out, but I'm not so sure a college dorm is a place for a BTS, or any reptile for that matter. That would have a lot to do with the lifestyle choices of the human inhabitants.

[MaddyKay99]

I'm sure the paperwork and such can be worked out, but I'm not so sure a college dorm is a place for a BTS, or any reptile for that matter. That would have a lot to do with the lifestyle choices of the human inhabitants.

A dorm theoretically isnt any different than a bedroom or living room is so it shouldnt be that bad. Especially if the owner is careful. It really shouldnt be that bad. I do it with my bluey who is my ESA right now and he is totally fine albeit a bit shy

[mb606587]

I would check with the university. When I was in college in the mid 2000's it wasn't possible but times have changed. I rented an off campus house with some friends and was able to keep my skink that way. With a couple housemates to split the rent, it's probably cheaper than living in the dorms.

[ahiacanon]

It can be an ESA. Why not? The problematic part is that it’s generally difficult to get any documents for emotional support animals since they are not considered service animals.
It depends on the policy of each company or organization whether you will be allowed to have it near you all the time. Some organizations like https://www.esaregistration.org/united-airline-travel-policies/ can help you get a certificate confirming that your animal is in an ESA. I can help you to get approved in different organizations and have your animal by your side. So, you can text them and see what they say.