Topic > Benefits of Allowing Students to Bring Pets with them to College

For most of us, pets are family and we treat them as such. Let's give them the love and affection they show us every day. They know when we are sad, happy or even stressed and always know how to make our day better. If you grew up with a pet, it may be difficult to leave it at home when you go to college. Becoming a college student in general is very stressful and eye-opening, especially if you go out of state. Losing one of your best friends can be a difficult transition to face when passing this milestone. Many college students go through phases of depression and anxiety and have almost no way to deal with them. Allowing students to bring pets with them to college is beneficial to them because it helps them cope with stress, anxiety, depression and loneliness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Scientists have concluded many studies showing that animals improve overall health and well-being. “A study of women in China found that dog owners had fewer doctor visits, took fewer days off work due to illness, and exercised more than non-dog owners” (Casciotti, Zuckerman). These results were achieved because pets, for many owners, are like family and are treated as such. Animals always know when we are sad, happy or scared. For example, some dogs love to greet their owners when they come home after a day at work, or cats love to purr and rub up against you when they want your affection. Studies have shown that regardless of your age or disability, you can make pets feel like you have "a sense of responsibility and purpose that contributes to their overall well-being" (Csciotti, Zuckerman). Although pets can be very loving and caring, they can also be very messy and difficult to keep up with. Depending on the animal, training it can be a daunting task. Cleaning them up and making sure they don't get into things they shouldn't is a struggle for all pet owners. This is why many parents buy pets for their children when they are little. Owning a pet teaches the individual about responsibility and what it means to own something and take great care of it. For example, learning how to teach dogs tricks, how to behave properly, not begging, and potty training them are just some of the ways they can teach you responsibility (Kaye). As a child, this can develop into lifelong skills and help you mature more quickly. As a college student, this could help you with time management and learning to do things independently. College teaches you how to become independent and transition from childhood to adulthood. For some, this is never easy to do. There are always some kids who come to college and aren't familiar with how to be independent and not always have to rely on their parents. Many drop out early due to overwhelming stress, anxiety, and the inability to handle everything on their own. Students come to college and are also very homesick. This could be a result of missing family and pets. For most, the hardest thing to do when leaving for college is to leave your childhood pet at home. The transition to adulthood can be a very stressful time ineveryone's life. You have to rely on your income to stabilize yourself and be independent of where you live and find stable work. Studies have shown that dealing with a dog into early adulthood can help reduce stress and anxiety. Pet owners in their 20s also have a higher success rate in finding stable work with minimal income (Robinson, Segal). Pets can also serve as companions when you are alone. Some may also serve as an audience when reciting a big presentation or to relieve stress when final exams approach. Many students have tried to bring "Therapy Dogs" to college. Their reasoning is that their dogs help them reduce the stress and anxiety that many young students face on a daily basis. Some can even detect panic attacks before they happen and help calm the owner (Martin). The number of people diagnosed with depression and ADHD has increased dramatically over the years. Demand for therapy dogs has also increased in response. Depression is a growing problem in the adolescent and young adult community. Statistics have shown that students who face stress and loneliness in college are more likely to commit suicide and take their own lives. A study has shown how owning a pet can reduce loneliness and depression. There is a reason why dogs are "man's beetroot friend" and that is because they act as companions and show you love and affection. Their lively attitudes and soft, furry coat are proven to ease any anxiety or depression you may have (Casciotti, Zuckerman). College can be a very difficult transition for most teenagers. Most arrive at college with a pre-existing depressive disorder. Starting university can be difficult as you are far from home, alone and self-sufficient. Having a pet has been shown to help your mood. From being sad, lonely and depressed, the subject immediately became happy and excited when a dog (Nagengast) was brought to him. The same was done with a cat and the results did not change. A study conducted at the University of California states that 86% of their students would like to bring their pet to college or would like to have a pet for college (Martin). Some universities have even agreed to carry out tests and studies by allowing some students to have a pet for a certain period of time and compare their work ethic and behavior in those weeks compared to when they did not own a pet. The results showed that students with dogs were happier and more engaged in class. They did better on tests and performed better academically and athletically. Their grades improved and they became more involved in the college community. Those who didn't have a pet were more likely to go out, party and put off studying. They would also fall asleep in class, do poorly on schoolwork, and become more isolated (Martin). College teaches you how to become independent and transition from childhood to adulthood. For some, this is never easy to do. There are always some kids who come to college and aren't familiar with how to be independent and not always have to rely on their parents. Many drop out early due to overwhelming stress, anxiety, and the inability to handle everything on their own. Students come to college and are also very homesick. This could be a result of missing family and pets. For the most part, the thing