College students and pets: The benefits and emotional connection

The Big Change

College, a big milestone for young adults as they begin to start their journey into independence. For many students, college is a home away from home where they will create the best memories of their life. However, for a lot of them it will create the biggest challenges that they have ever faced in their life.

With college normally being the first time a person is given more breathing room from their families, there is a lot that the student is faced with. Finding classes, making new friends, joining new clubs, school work, a job (for some students) and many other things that a student will deal with. However, the opposite can happen as well: The inability to make new friends, being overwhelmed with work or school, not being active or getting out much. These things can lead to a serious damper in the students mood and even create a toxic environment that can lead to many unhealthy mental disorders.

The Mental Health Struggle for College Students

Mental health is a problem at every university and it is a big one. Many college students have a range of problems like: anxiety disorders, depression, panic disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and many others. However, many students still fail to get the help that they need. According to the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments survey, 96,000 students responded. Of this 96,000 students, 44% stated that they had symptoms of depression, 37% said that they experienced anxiety and 15% said that they seriously considered suicide or had suicidal thoughts. This is not including the students that refuse to get help.

Getting a Pet

One way that students can help themselves is by getting a pet. Pets have always been known to emotionally support people. There are many benefits to having an animal for your emotional support, both for the owner and the pet.

Stories:

Tram & Bi Le

This is the experience of Tram and Bi Le who are students at Texas Christian University. Tram and Bi both take care of their dog, Jamie. "We got Jamie basically for emotional support, I got him at a rough time in my life," said Tram. Jamie is big part of their everyday lives and continues to help them relieve stress during hard times.

Tram and Bi Le with their dog, Jamie

Daniela Flores

Daniela Flores is a Texas Christian University Criminal Justice major. Daniela got her cat during college and he has changed her life and made things feel more like home here in Fort Worth. "When I'm in my bed and he comes and cuddles up with me, I love those moments -- I love every moment with him," said Flores, "I wouldn't trade him for anything else."

Daniela Flores and her cat, Leon

Abbey Sichler

Abbey Sichler is a Political Science major at Texas Christian University. Abbey grew up with pets, but she chose not to take them to college with her. "I do get really lonely in college, like I am so far away from my family, this is something I really struggled with," said Abbey.

Abbey Sichler and her story about going through college without a pet.

Benefits of Having a Pet in College

There are many ways that a student can get help or even help themselves through these hard times when facing obstacles. This can be through therapy, properly prescribed medication, or even getting a pet.

Getting a pet in college has many benefits. Firstly, they can help relieve stress during hard times. This can be during exams, homework deadlines or even overall academic performance. Taking a break and having a pet whether that be a cat or dog can seriously help you remember to relax and take a breather. Statistics show that petting an animal can release a hormone in the body called “Oxytocin” that helps you mentally feel good.

Having a pet can also increase your daily physical activity. This is very important because many college students are cooped up all day working on assignments or homework and they forget to stay active. Being active can be beneficial for both you and your pet as a way to take a break from all the studying.

Anxiety relief is another thing that students can benefit from. Many students have trouble with social anxiety. This can be through meeting new people and friends. Having a pet can help you create new friends or meet new people that also have pets, or simply just want to meet yours. They are great conversation starters.

Not only with social anxiety, but at home anxiety too, a cat can help lower anxiety by being in your company and purring. A cat’s purr quite literally has the ability to heal you. According to AKC Reunite, the purr of a cat has been proven to relieve stress, heal from infection, lower blood pressure and even help heal bones.

Lastly, pets can help you through lonely times. College can sometimes leave you missing home or wishing that you had family around, pets can be that support system that will make it more home-like when you have had a long day of tests and projects.

Benbrook Waggin' Tails Adoption Center

Ruth Pixley

Ruth Pixley is the Assistant Manager at Waggin' Tail's Adoption Center. While she does work there, Pixley has pets of her own as well. "As someone who is so easily stressed and had a lot of mental health struggles, having something that I have to take care of gives me a routine," said Pixley.

Ruth Pixley, the Assistant Manager at Waggin' Tail's Adoption Center

Emma Sparkman

Emma Sparkman is a college student as well as employee at Waggin' Tail's Adoption Center. "It is really good stress relief, I am in there [college] for Law Enforcement so you deal with a lot of not fun topics, so it's nice to come to work and not think about it," said Sparkman. Sparkman enjoys working with animals and has quite a few pets of her own at home as well.

Emma Sparkman, college student and employee at Waggin' Tail's Adoption Center

Getting a Pet

Getting a pet is something that should be on every student's to-do list. The bond between a person and their pet is mutually beneficial and there are many things that you can learn. However, there are a lot of things that you need to do to be able to adopt one. Not only should you get the necessary paperwork to adopt one, but you should also take the steps to make sure that pet is taken care of, both emotionally and physically as well.

This does not mean that if you are struggling that you should not get the help that you need. The TCU Counseling and Mental Health Center is available to all students without cost. Students who are looking for help can contact center's front desk at 817-257-7863. If you are a student experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can visit the counseling and mental health center or call the TCU 24/7 counseling hotline at 817-257-7233.