Stress and anxiety felt by college students isn't something new, especially during final exams. But an increasing number of students who are diagnosed with mental disorders are turning to a new form of therapy to better cope with their issues. Cynthia Harris is a student at Cal State University Long Beach, whose been diagnosed with depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

But she gets comfort from her furry companion Charlie, an emotional support animal or ESA.

"I kind of felt secluded from the world in a sense and so having her she helped me kind of get back into that, get back into feeling like myself. When I have her around I feel more open because she gives me that safety," Cynthia Harris said.

That's no surprise. Science has proven that just petting a dog reduces stress and releases oxytocin, the love hormone.

Cal State Long Beach is one of a growing number of college campuses that allow students diagnosed with a mental health disability to have pets and the program is booming.

Rachael Mahgerefth runs the Service and ESA program. She points out that unlike service animals, which train for years to assist people with physical or severe psychiatric disabilities, ESAs don't require training but a medical recommendation is needed.

"You need to be diagnosed, usually it's a mental health disability like anxiety, depression PTSD." "Your doctor or mental health professional would think that an animal would benefit helping with the symptoms that come with that diagnosis," Rachael Mahgerefth said.

But legitimacy is sometimes questioned when it comes to emotional support animals on campus. Some students try and take advantage of the system and make false claims which can dilute the genuine purpose of the program.

All the more reason, say colleges like Cal State Long Beach, to develop official ESA programs on campus to control any abuse so students like Jessica Rotter who struggles with anxiety, can continue relying on her faithful friend.

"I think it's really easy to for other outsiders to kind of be quick to judge." "At the end of the day, people don't know what it's like to walk a day in your shoes and what you go through and if an emotional support animal is something that gets you by and gets you through the day then that's what you gotta do," Jessica Rotter said.

And with a face like this, Nala could probably help just about anyone get through a rough day.

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