Abbey and her Aussie brave the UMW campus together

by GRACE WAGNER

Life Editor

On a rare night in, roommates Abbey, Ainsley and Ky settled in to watch their favorite TV show, but realized there was an empty spot on the couch. 

“We were watching Vanderpump Rules, and we were like, something is missing, so we called Penny in to join us,” recalled Ainsley Lord, a junior biology and environmental science double major.

The girls’ fourth roommate, Penny, a mini Australian Shepherd, came into the living room and joined them on the couch. She curled up in Abbey’s lap, wiggling her tail nub as she indulged in the attention.

Abbey Magnet, a senior communication and digital studies major, is one of about 50 students who have been approved by the Office of Residence Life and Housing to have an Emotional Support Animal on campus for her anxiety. 

“An emotional support animal is defined as any animal with a primary role of providing a person with a disability emotional comfort,” according to guidance from the Office of Disability Resources.

Magnet, who transferred to UMW from Northern Virginia Community College during her sophomore year, brought Penny to campus a year later, making her a transfer student too. Having Penny on campus completely shifted Magnet’s experience because she says having her dog was both a comfort and allowed her to be more outgoing.

“I was finally able to kind of get out of my shell and do the things that I was always afraid to do. Living with Penny has pushed me out of my comfort zone,” said Magnet.

Penny’s presence allows Magnet to interact with more people. On their walks, people come up to Magnet and her pup. Pushing her to be more social is essential for her mental health and keeps her from shutting people out when she feels anxious.

“She helps me make those connections I was missing,” said Magnet

Magnet’s roommates can also see the benefits that Penny brings to her life. 

“Whenever Abbey gets anxious, Penny’s there to comfort her. Even if she is just upset about something, Penny is always there,” said junior English major Ky Huynh.

Penny also provides Magnet with discipline that she felt she was previously lacking. 

“She helps me get out of bed in the morning, honestly,” she said. “She likes to come and jump on me and paw at my face when she is ready to go out. This is not only good for her, but it’s good for me.”

Students who have a support animal often describe it as a symbiotic relationship. Magnet provides care but also receives it in return, and both of them thrive in that reciprocity. 

“Not only is Penny Abbey’s emotional support animal, but it is clear that Abbey is Penny’s emotional support human,” said Lord.

After transferring to UMW, Magnet lived in a dorm in her first semester, hoping to feel like she had a home on campus. Unfortunately, her first year offered less time for building a home away from home and more time for building anxiety and stress. 

 “I would go home every weekend because I got very homesick,” said Magnet. “It was just really hard for me to be away from home and away from a dog or family.” 

This anxiety led her to find an ESA. Magnet and her parents scoured the internet for the perfect pup.

After months of searching, they found a Facebook ad for a dog rescue, For The Love of Paws. The Knoxville, Maryland, rescue is home to dogs of all ages and abilities. 

“I was looking for an adult who was house trained and who had a great temperament, who was loyal, who was going to be very easy going for me,” said Magnet. 

Penny fit her criteria perfectly. Known as Bliss at the time, her Facebook ad read as follows:

“Sweet Bliss, who is just a bit shy but warms up quickly. She loves other dogs, kids and loves to play, just wants a family to call her own.”

Magnet and her mother drove to the rescue two days later to meet ‘Bliss’ to see if she was the right fit, but once Magnet laid eyes on her, she knew she had found her dog.

“She just matched my energy and we just fell in love,” said Magnet. “All that needed to change was that stupid name.”

Magnet decided to stick with the Beatles theme that her parents had used to decide her name, as well as their other dog, Ringo. She decided on Penny Lane for her new pup.

After claiming Penny as her own, Magnet needed to register her as an ESA so that she could live on campus with her.

The registration process consists of a series of forms detailing that the owner will be responsible for their pet and to minimise possible roommate conflict as well as animal safety concerns, according to the Office of Disability Resources.

Students must update these forms each year to keep their pet on campus, but the hassle is worth it for Magnet. Registering Penny as an ESA has changed her life and her friends can see the benefits.

“I have definitely seen her mental health get better since having Penny on campus,” said Lord. “She sometimes goes like a week without her and you can see the decline and then she will boost right back up again once Penny returns.”

Now, Magnet is preparing for graduation and wonders how her relationship with Penny will change.

“I can’t imagine living without Penny anymore,” said Magnet. “She has made such an impact on my life here at Mary Washington and I am determined to include her in this next chapter of my life.”