For years, studies have shown the health benefits of owning a pet.
Some of the health benefits are lower blood pressure, lessened anxiety and even a healthier immune system.
It has been said that children growing up with animals are more likely to develop allergies to the furry animals, but studies have also proven that to be false. Children that grow up around pets such as cats, dogs or farm animals have less of a risk to develop allergies or asthma later in life.
One advantage of owning a pet is that they are one way to help snag a date. Dogs are well-known for making love connections. When people are in a relationship or in love, they tend to be happier people. While out with your dogs, people are more likely to strike up a conversation with you, asking questions about the animals breed and tricks which could then turn into a relationship.
Animals can also make the move from home to college easier for some students to handle. They give the students a sense of their old home in their new home. College is a very stressful time in a young adults life, and having a pet companion helps lower the stress level. Another way pets help a college student is with obesity and depression. Students who own pets tend to be happier and more active, with a less chance of gaining the Freshman 15. Dogs need attention and activity in their lives, and that can motivate students to get active. On the other hand, cats just desire human company making the college student feel comfortable and not alone with less chance of developing depression.
However, it can be very depressing when you own a pet and they go missing. One way to make this aspect of owning a pet a little easier would be a pet-loss hotline. If the University of Tennessee at Martin set up a pet-loss hotline where people could call in and help students find their animals, it would make the searching process much easier and the students much happier.
