Crossing paths with dogs, cats and other animals is part of campus life for students at some colleges and universities around the country, which welcome pets in campus residences. For students, the companionship can help reduce stress, anxiety and homesickness. The colleges also see benefits for student engagement and helping them build connections with one another. Federal law requires public and private colleges to allow service animals and emotional support animals in student housing. But growing numbers of schools are allowing pets, with various restrictions. At the University of Northern Colorado, students in three of the more than dozen residence halls on campus are allowed to have dogs and cats. The animals must be at least six months old and no more than 40 pounds (18 kilograms). This fall, the school will have the most registered pets on campus since it began allowing them more than a decade ago, said Jed Cummins, executive director of housing. “Being a student is really stressful. And, so whether that is having to worry about studying, having to worrying about financing, getting your degree. So having an animal there can really be grounding for a lot of students,” Cummins said. Molly Cheer, a senior nursing major, said she chose Northern Colorado in part because of its pet-friendly policy. When she is stressed about school, she said, it helps coming home to Louie, the cat she adopted during her first year. “I think it’s just how unconditionally they love, regardless of what you’re going through. They just want to be your center of attention and that takes your mind off of everything,” she said. Pet-friendly dorms require colleges to consider things like safety concerns, noise complaints, how to avoid agitating animals during fire alarm tests, as well as additional costs for cleaning. Some schools charge a pet fee, which varies by school, type of pet and is often included in housing expenses. Others require students to have liability insurance and roommate agreements. Pets are sometimes required to be restrained when in public, and most colleges require students to ensure their pets are healthy and vaccinated.