The years a person spends in college can be some of the most stressful times in life.
You’re in a program and taking classes that are supposed to be teaching you the skills you need to succeed post-graduation. Many meet the love of their lives in college and must balance a relationship with school. Some have to work a job or two along with making good grades and paying their bills.
Sometimes all the bad things happen at once, and life kicks you in the ass.
Everyone handles intense stress in his or her own way, whether by loudly screaming into a pillow after a terrible day or seeking the guidance of a counselor after a bad month. For long term and detrimental life issues, some people just can’t find the means to cope.
Through personal experience, getting a pet is the best way to help someone bounce back from a dark part of life and make the steps toward being happy again.
Last year, I was severely depressed. In the midst of my parents’ divorce and constant problems at my apartment, I couldn’t find positive energy or hope anywhere. On the eve of one bad chapter of my life ending and another bad one starting, my roommate at the time and I decided to get kitten siblings. She wanted a pet, and I needed an animal-based emotional support system.
My kitten, Ares, played the largest role in the process of my eventual return to happiness. Having a companion that looked forward to seeing me after school, work and rough days was more healing than I could have imagined.
There’s a reason that before exam week every semester, various student organizations organize puppies and dogs to be on campus for students to play with and love on.
I’ve read several studies about the impact pets have on a person’s mental and physical health and the positive results from pet ownership. These studies show people who own pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations, elevated levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax, and are less likely to suffer from depression.
Another huge thing pets give to a person is a sense of responsibility. When you’re the main support for this creature — feeding it, providing it with proper medical care, scooping its poop or running around with it and taking it on walks — it encourages social interaction and forces one to get out of bed and care for their friend.
So it’s not only proven that owning an animal cheers you up, but they also motivate you to socialize, engage with other humans and get out of the house.
Their biggest role of all is unconditional and constant love. Whether it’s a cat, dog, snake, hamster or raccoon, when you walk through the door, they’re happy to see you. No matter how long you’re gone, and even when you forget to give them fresh water in the morning, a pet’s love will never waver.
If you’re a student and find yourself on the brink of insanity — and if you have the means to do so — go out and get a pet. There are always kittens and puppies that need to be adopted from the pound. Even something as small as a fish can leave a person more relaxed in their place of residence and lower their blood pressure.
Take it from someone who’s been there. Having my cat curl up on my bed every night cheers me up more than any pillow screaming or therapist ever could.