Pets help students cope with academic pressure in ways you never knew. Pets are known to be the best pals for their owners as they amuse them, spread happiness and keep them engaged.
Beyond this, some pets also help students in managing the academic pressure.
Many learning institutions conduct therapy pets in college programs. The program in each school might look different.
News Medical Life Science says that animals can relieve academic stress. A Washington State University research says having animal visitation programs is important.
University students face different levels of stress. Its underlying factors differ widely too.
Health experts define stress as a response by an organism to tension and excitement. The outcomes of stress can be depression, suicide, and heart disease.
A student may experience blood pressure, migraine, and many mental and emotional issues.
The Positive Impact of Pets on Academic Performance and Mental Health
In many societies, pets form part of daily life. Studies by CDC show the bond formed between people and pets provides several health benefits.
Due to the bond, an individual can record an improvement in:
- Mood
- Joy
- Self-confidence
- Socialization
- Academic performance
It is important to understand the impact of therapy animals on people’s health and well-being.
As a benefit, people can take advantage and develop close bonds between themselves and the animals.
In their pursuit of education, students sometimes spend long hours alone.
PLOS journals record that dogs for college students can be integrated during study to prevent the building of stress.
The report says dogs help reduce stress significantly. In another report by the University of Pennsylvania, dogs provide a unique style of social support.
The report says they offer affection to humans without condition.
There are many best small pets for college students that can work as therapy animals.
The types of pets kept differ based on culture and geography. A report by Pet Helpful shows dogs stand out as the main type of pets kept in households and by students.
They come in all different sizes and some cannot be allowed in schools. Studies show pets in the classroom help learners improve reading and writing skills.
Due to the social support they offer, students write better sentences, and essays, and become fluent readers.
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NIH News in Health says the power of pets cannot be underrated. When a student interacts with an animal, they get therapeutic benefits.
Due to the excitement a learner gets, their level of cortisol, the stress hormone, reduces. Additionally, their blood pressure lowers which suppresses stress.
In a different study by NIH, pets eliminate loneliness. They increase social support which boosts a student’s mood.
Forestville Montessori School published a report on the impact of pets in teaching. It says having a dog during class improves academic performance.
Furthermore, dogs boost motivation, engagement, and performance in students.
Benefits of Having Pets in Students’ Lives
Having a class pet is a great way for students to stay engaged. Animal Friends says pets add joy to the life of a learner.
Also, the learner stays in a good mood and lives a happier and healthier life. The benefits of therapy animals range from mental to psychosocial and physical.
- Reducing stress levels: Johnson Hopkins Medicine reports that loving a pet lowers cortisol. It reduces stress levels in the learner.
- Increasing socialization: Interactions with an animal reduce loneliness. Due to this, the brain releases more oxytocin, the feel-good hormone.
- Increasing mood and motivation: Health Guide reports that stroking and hugging a dog calms and soothes a person. If the person spends more time with the dog, it leaves them less anxious and sets a good mood. The experience can increase motivation in a student.
- Helping students develop a sense of responsibility: A student who owns a pet needs to take care of them. They need to feed them, clean them, and help them exercise. As a result, the learner begins to develop a sense of responsibility.
- Improved health: Based on mental health research, pet owners live healthier lives. Additionally, they are less likely to experience depression, blood pressure, or stress. Furthermore, they have better physical and mental health.
How Pets Contribute to the Overall Well-Being of a Student
Studies by CDC and NIH show pets improve the general well-being of a person. The bond between the animal and the person can help decrease things such as:
- Cholesterol levels
- Triglyceride levels
- Loneliness
- Anxiety
- Symptoms of PTSD
- Stress
- Depression
During the day, the owner may need to walk their pet or play with it. Such activities provide valuable benefits to a student.
Specifically, their general well-being improves in different ways. It increases:
- Self-esteem
- Confidence
- Strength to cope with challenging situations
- The health of the heart
- Brain and muscle health
Why are Dogs Good Pets for Students
Among all types of pets, dogs are considered the closest friend to people. A report by Big Think says dogs and humans have interacted for over 15,000 years.
Cats for instance love hunting and would climb trees, fences, or roofs to hunt. Many universities allow students to keep dogs for mental health.
The report by Big Think further says dogs provide a higher therapeutic value to learners. A dog can stay by a student’s side all the time to give them company.
A report by Hill’s Pet Nutrition says it is easier to train a dog than other pets. It learns fast and follows instructions quickly.
Dogs tend to be protective of their owners. If they sense danger, they will warn the owner and sometimes prevent it from happening.
A report by Psychology Today says that a learner will have a higher sense of security when their dog is around.
Coping with Academic Rigor – The Important Role of Pets
Studies have shown pets help learners cope with stress and academic pressure. Additionally, they provide companionship which eliminates loneliness from a learner.
A student learns to be responsible as they care for their animal. Due to interactions with pets, students can improve their mood, confidence, and self-determination.
In the long run, they improve a student’s general well-being and academic performance.
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