Dogs can provide stress relief for students
Original article DailyEasternNews.com
By: Race Archibald
Imagine this scenario: you go to class, all masked up, and attempt to learn as best you can while you figure out how to get through all this. It isn’t the best situation, but you make it work.
After all this stress, you come home, and your dog is waiting for you. It jumps on you, excited to see you, and brings a sense of comfort in your life. You’re excited, your dog is excited, and you are momentarily alleviated of any stress you may have had.
During these unprecedented times, while we are encouraged to stay at home in isolation, it can become lonesome at times. One way to solve this is by owning a pet to keep you company.
However, this can be difficult as a college student, with the burden of balancing school, your social life and overall care of your own health.
Senior exercise science major Sarah Lohman found her dog, Prairie Rose, a border collie/Australian shepherd mix, online. She said she’d been wanting a dog for some time and decided to get one during the pandemic.
One shelter in Los Angeles, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, had seen its adoption rate double in late June. Joe Watson, the CEO of Petland, which has over 100 pet stores across the country, says he saw a massive increase in demand for puppies this past May and June.
One place to look at pets available for adoption locally is the Coles County Animal Shelter. In order to adopt, you can simply pick your pet, fill out an application. Once it is approved, you will have a new pet to keep you company.
A few things to consider before owning a pet:
Ability to own a pet – Some apartment complexes or dorms prohibit pet ownership, so it’s important to find out this information
Space – It may seem like fun for you to own a pet, but the pet also needs the space to roam, as well as a place to go to the bathroom.
Financials – you have to consider food, toys, vet trips, and cleaning supplies, among other things needed to care for your pet.
Roommates – Be sure to check with your roommates to make sure they are OK with having a pet in the house/apartment.
Not only do you have to care for the pet but also keep it company. Dogs are lively animals who often look to humans for companionship, while cats don’t need it as much, but it’s still crucial to keep your pet company.
“One of the hardest things to do was give her a bath,” Lohman said. “It takes about 20 minutes to wash her, and then blow-drying her takes even longer. She sheds a lot so it’s also hard to clean up after her.”
In the eyes of many, pets present many positives. According to Jonothan David, an expert wildlife biologist, owning a dog has shown to lower stress levels, make you happy, and make you more social.
One study from Azabu University in Japan has shown that just staring into the eyes of a dog has shown to raise oxytocin levels, or known as the “love hormone.”
Another study from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, has shown that owning a dog can actually keep you more active, as walking a dog presents another opportunity for exercise.
One way Lohman has kept her dog company is by buying her dog toys and costumes. She says it helps to keep the dog entertained, as well as herself while managing a rigorous class schedule.
“Without our dog, I wouldn’t be as happy as I am now,” Lohman said. “She keeps me entertained and I love her.”
While sometimes it may seem like the owner is taking care of the pet, you can also make the case for the pet actually taking care of us.