Having a pet at school can seem like a huge hassle: walking it, feeding it, taking it back and forth and spending more nights at home than going out. Even though having a pet is a large responsibility, they are very beneficial.
A pet not only teaches basic responsibility like being able to take care of another living thing, but it provides a level of comfort. When you come home from a hard test you can snuggle with a puppy who does not care if you have done well or not, and if you are sick your pet will be by your side watching the newest release on Netflix with you. No matter what you are going through, a pet is there to comfort and console.
Even more so, a pet has the ability to get you out of bed when no one else can. They need you to take care of them and count on you to do so. Having a furry friend aids in socialization too. When you take your puppy out for a walk, the other dog owners will talk to you while your puppy also gets socialized. Inviting people over to meet your new cat can create the perfect situation to hang out with friends and new people.
Mostly, an animal can help improve your mood, which is especially important during finals week! They do silly things like chase their own tail and run to see you when you come home after a long day.
Overall, pets make you feel less lonely, encourage exercise and health, and decrease stress. In some ways, it seems as if there is nothing a pet cannot do for you. However, if you're thinking about bringing a pet on to a college campus, there is still a lot to consider, like the safety of the animal, if you have the ability to properly care for it and if you can afford to take care of it.
Pets are extremely beneficial for emotional help, especially when the stress of college seems overwhelming. Having a dog on campus definitely has its benefits, especially considering you get a best friend for life.
