Whether their wagging tails, soft nuzzles or playful bites, pets hold a cherished place in many people’s lives as their presence brings a sprinkle of happiness. According to the American Pet Products Association, around 67% of US households own a pet.
“I have two Golden doodles, and they’re extremely intelligent.” senior Natalie Hodinko said. “I cherish all the everyday memories I have with my dogs. They always brighten my day and they’re honestly just fun to be around.”
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), pets can decrease stress, improve heart health, and even help people’s social and emotional skills. Being in close contact with animals has been seen to decrease blood pressure and cortisol, which is a stress-related hormone. Furthermore, having pets in the office can decrease stress and assist employees in being more satisfied and productive when working.
“I have two gray tabby cats, named Randy and Stormy, and I genuinely don’t know what I’d do without them,” freshman Ariana Stitt said. “My cats constantly help me de-stress by letting me cuddle them and they’ll softly meow occasionally, and it just distracts me from everything when I’m with them.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association says that owning a pet is considered a privilege. Before getting a pet, one of the responsibilities is to recognize that a pet requires a good amount of time and money. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average pet owner spends around $1,600 a year on a pet.
“If you’re going to be a caretaker for a pet, you need to make sure to invest time and be willing to connect with them,” veterinary science teacher Ashley Spinetto said. “That way you can create a loving and enriching life for the dog.”
Pet Awareness Month doesn’t just recognize pets as an addition to family, but also as an assistant for people with disabilities. According to the United Disabilities Services Foundation, service dogs play a key role in the lives of people who have disabilities. These types of dogs can help people with a variety of needs, for example, they assist people with diabetes, PTSD, and epilepsy. Apart from normal dogs, service dogs have public access rights to go anywhere, including public transportation, libraries, and restaurants. Service dogs are trained to perform difficult tasks that require intelligence and must be calm in loud surroundings.
“Pets, specifically dogs, are perfect for service animals since they’re specifically bred for human companionship,” Spinetto said. “Since they’re always eager to please, they’re important for these types of jobs, for example, guiding the blind and helping people with disabilities.”
