By Staff Writer: Alan Darnold
Having a pet can seem like a lot of hassle, the food you have to buy, the attention you have to give, and making sure that they are potty trained are all aspects of being a pet owner. Even though it may seem like there are more negatives than positives to having a pet, the positives are too important to ignore. One of the first health benefits to owning a pet is that it can lower your stress levels. Have you ever just had a long day of classes which then caused high stress? Having a pet can help with those overwhelming emotions and can actually help you rekindle your thoughts. In an article called, “How Pets Boost your Health” written by Kaitlyn Pirie, she explained that, in a 2019 study she found that it only takes 10 minutes of petting a cat or dog to lower peoples levels of stress. So, when you finish studying for your final exams and you feel overwhelmed, consider adopting a pet to help you keep trucking through the semester!
Another health benefit of being a pet owner is that it can boost your self-confidence. Being able to feel that accomplishment of being a caregiver to your animal can help make you feel like you matter, which then carries onto your everyday life. Patricia Pendry, Ph.D., and associate professor of human development at Washington State University emphasized that, “You matter because you’re responsible for that animal’s well-being.” So, the next time you are considering adopting a pet and you wonder if it will be a good decision or not, remember the health benefits that not only their cuddles give but their presence as well.