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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Nearly one-quarter of U.S. college students surveyed said their pets helped them get through difficult times in life, researchers said.
Lead author Sara Staats, a professor emeritus of psychology at Ohio State's Newark Campus, said students who chose to live with at least one dog, one cat, or a combination of the two were less likely to report feeling lonely and depressed -- something they directly attributed to their pet.
Yes, and then when the students get busy or move yet again they tend to dump their pets.
A student having a pet is almost always a bad idea for the pet.
I would have appreciated the comforting presence of a pet during my campus days. Having said that, I didn't move off to college until after receiving my Associates Degree, so I was already past those Freshman times and those core classes.
Having a pet during college is part of what got me through it, I think. Anxiety runs in my family and I was a homebody when I was growing up anyway, so going off to college was a huge adjustment. During my Junior year, I adopted a hamster (RIP William Wigglesworth!) and rest assured that hamster was one of the most spoiled, loved little creatures, and very well taken care of. All of my friends loved him too and I researched more about taking care of that hamster than pretty much any paper I wrote.
Later in the year I adopted a guinea pig as well, with even more research and care taken to ensure his safety and happiness. I never dumped my pets and always took excellent care of them. I don't think it's fair to judge students with pets entirely. Agreed, so many students are completely irresponsible and can't even take care of themselves, much less a pet, but there are some of us out there who are responsible!
I'm now 3 years out of college, guinea pigs in tow, and I'm grateful every day for my pets, and look back fondly on the days I had to smuggle them into my dorm : ). If they ever caught me and made me 'get rid of them', rest assured I wouldn't have given up. They would either have had a temporary displacement at my family's home where I visited frequently, or I would have moved out.
We took in a few ferrets that college students had to give up. I think most wait till they run out of options. They can't advertise at the college, don't know off hand where the humane society is. They can't bring them at last minute on planes, not imposible just takes planning and a cat carrier.
Having a pet during college is part of what got me through it, I think. Anxiety runs in my family and I was a homebody when I was growing up anyway, so going off to college was a huge adjustment. During my Junior year, I adopted a hamster (RIP William Wigglesworth!) and rest assured that hamster was one of the most spoiled, loved little creatures, and very well taken care of. All of my friends loved him too and I researched more about taking care of that hamster than pretty much any paper I wrote.
Later in the year I adopted a guinea pig as well, with even more research and care taken to ensure his safety and happiness. I never dumped my pets and always took excellent care of them. I don't think it's fair to judge students with pets entirely. Agreed, so many students are completely irresponsible and can't even take care of themselves, much less a pet, but there are some of us out there who are responsible!
I'm now 3 years out of college, guinea pigs in tow, and I'm grateful every day for my pets, and look back fondly on the days I had to smuggle them into my dorm : ). If they ever caught me and made me 'get rid of them', rest assured I wouldn't have given up. They would either have had a temporary displacement at my family's home where I visited frequently, or I would have moved out.
I would not be able to take lonely Valentine's Day without my Cat. She gives me so much joy and support. She is a blessing to me and has been thru everything with me. She even flew to Florida to live with me and did not meow once!
I would not be able to take lonely Valentine's Day without my Cat. She gives me so much joy and support. She is a blessing to me and has been thru everything with me. She even flew to Florida to live with me and did not meow once!
Now what kid can remain quiet on a plane?
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