I've been thinking about writing this article for awhile now, but the articles that hit closest to home are usually the toughest to write for several reasons, one of them being that this article will be published online for anyone to see. This past semester had been particularly difficult for me; my anxiety was getting worse and my depression wasn't helping with my worsening anxiety. I felt like I was doing something wrong because all of my friends seemed to be doing well and enjoying sophomore year, while I was struggling to stay afloat. Thankfully, I realized what was happening to me and knew I had to do something about it. I went to Butler University's Office of Student Disability Services and asked about the steps I would have to take in order to get an emotional support animal. I then went to my psychiatrist and talked about the possibility of getting an emotional support animal and how it might help me.
Since I was in middle school I have had a cat, and even when my depression hit the lowest point it could and I hit rock bottom, my cat was able to just keep me breathing in the midst of a panic attack. Leo kept me calm, and then my family got Bailey who had such a fun loving personality that kept me laughing. I thought that maybe if I adopted another cat, I would be able to feel that sense of relief that Leo and Bailey had given me for years.
On October 29th, 2017, which coincidentally happened to be National Cat Day, I adopted Boo Radley, a one-year-old kitten who is all I could have hoped for (except for the fact that he doesn't get along with Leo and Bailey). He makes me smile and is a total goofball. He sleeps with me every night and provides me with that sense of relief I was craving. Shortly after his adoption, I hit a few bumps in the road and had to move rooms, but Boo stuck with me through everything and was completely open to the changes in living arrangements.
While adopting an emotional support animal might not be the best option (or a possible option) for everyone, I encourage people to get the help they need and find something that makes you happy. It's not easy, but it'll be worth it because once you start feeling better, you realize how incredible it feels and how much you missed that feeling. I named Boo after Arthur "Boo" Radley from To Kill A Mockingbird, one of my favorite books because there was a quote that always resonated with me. Try to take a few steps around in your old shoes, which are the ones that made you happy. Learn what made you so happy while wearing those shoes. You can't wear those shoes forever, you have to get a new pair eventually, but it doesn't mean you can't rely on them while you're stuck in your bad shoes and looking for the new pair.
Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough.
