Having a pet can be great, but the majority of college campuses don’t allow pets to live in residence halls, including Le Moyne.
The Le Moyne Student handbook states that, “For reasons of health and maintenance, pets [except fish in a tank that does not exceed 10 gallons] are not permitted in student’s residence units, the campus center or classrooms. Individuals who violate this policy will be given a chance to remove the pet from the building and be subject to disciplinary action.”
John Haley, director of Campus Life and Leadership, says that “two to three times a year I am aware of students bringing animals on campus  in violation of our policy.”

Haley said that, “cats and dogs seem to show up the most.” He also said, “the strangest animal someone has brought on campus was a Chinchilla.”

However, there are some schools across the country like the University of Northern Colorado, University of Idaho, Johnson and Wales University-Providence, University of Washington, University of Illinois, University of Florida, and SUNY Canton who allow pets on campus.
SUNY Canton, has a pet wing on their campus. According to the Pet Wing Contract at SUNY Canton, “The pet wing community is a living unit that is focused on building a family atmosphere among residents.” However, residents are only “permitted to bring small, caged pets from home with the prior approval of the Residence Hall Director.” Dogs, birds, and snakes are not permitted.  
However, Le Moyne does allow students to bring an animal on campus for emotional support or disability services.  

 

“Students who require a service animal on campus are advised to coordinate their need with the office for disability services and campus life,” said John Haley.  “If a need is identified we would then work with the student to find appropriate housing.”. Junior Chelsie Inlong, lived on campus last year in Harrison Hall with her emotional support Yorkshire Terrier dog Leo. Inlong explained that having her dog on campus helps her deal with the everyday stresses of college life.
“I’ve owned him since he was born, so three years in March,” said Inlong. “I decided to have a pet on campus because he is part of my family that I brought with me from home which is in Texas. He is my emotional support animal. There is research that animals can help lower or relieve stress and anxiety and depression.”  
Inlong had to get verification from Le Moyne in order for her to have Leo live on campus with her.

Leo has helped Chelsea be more responsible, manage her time better, and improve her social skills. She says in many ways, he is helping her get ready for the real world. She has been able to learn more about herself and other people through him.

“I know it would be better for a dog to live in an apartment, house, or townhouse environment because a dog can have space to move around and not confined to a room. It was a lot of work to take him up and down the elevator, so he can use the restroom.”
This year, Chelsie Inlong lives off campus with Leo.  
If you are missing your pet from home or wish to play with some animals throughout the semester, then you should attend Pet Therapy in the library. During pet therapy, you will get to play with the pets sponsored by Pets Partners of Syracuse.