Animals enhance the lives of people in many ways. They provide companionship and enhance mental health. Pets such as a dog can be used in therapy and for offering support to college students. For stressed students, they feel less lonely when they spend time with animals. Animals are a great source as emotional support for college students as we would discuss in this article. Keep reading.
It might be hard to find genuine human friends in college. However, pets have proved to be genuine when offering emotional support. Some schools allow learners to bring their animals to dorms. They need to understand the rules that apply before they bring a pet to school.
Which pets are good for offering emotional support to college students?
Animals that offer emotional support are an important tool for building mental health. A study by Wisconsin Education shows interaction with pets helps release stress. The report suggests animal therapy can be beneficial to learners. They improve the owner’s well-being and general quality of life.
It is not every college or university that allows pets in the classroom or dorms. Those that allow it also have strict guidelines on the types of animals a student should have. Some schools keep therapy dogs to help relieve academic stress in learners. The number of schools allowing dog support is increasing fast. Academic pressure has driven more learners to seek online help for students.
They choose expert writers with a high online reputation. Their benefits exceed expectations in many ways. As for me, I never worry about what to do when I have more complex assignments. I’m always certain that EduBirdie will do my assignment on time and with professionalism. It is a professional service that is trusted by many students across the world. Their expert writers understand the needs of their customers and are keen on quality. The best animals for college students include:
- Dogs, especially the small breed dogs
- Birds such as parrots, doves, lovebirds, and Cockatoos
- Guinea pig as an indoor friend
- Goldfish and Mollies, Tiger Barbs, and Oscars
How animals offer emotional support to students
Different studies show that continued interactions with animals have many benefits. They offer cognitive, emotional, and behavioral support. They are important in improving the social and educational development of learners. Studies by Very Well Mind shows pets help reduce anxiety and depression. They offer emotional support in different ways.
Adopting a new structure of daily routine
The daily structure of a learner may include going to lectures, studying, and doing assignments. It can become a boring routine and cause stress. A pet can help the learner adjust to a different routine. They may add feeding, cleaning, and exercising their dog or cat. This kind of caring can help improve mood and suppress stress, anxiety, or depression.
Being a companion
Companionship is an important part of a student’s life. When it is lacking, it can affect their mental health and performance in college. A pet is an excellent companion. They prove to be loyal to their owners and are always ready to help. They make the learner feel worthy, needed, and not alone.
Engaging in exercise
A dog, cat, or guinea pig needs to be taken for a walk, run, or hike. The experience does not reward the animal only but also the owner. The learner needs to accompany their dog during the walk. They exercise too and boost their health in many ways. They burn more energy which keeps them physically fit. It increases oxygen in their body which boosts heart and brain health.
Boosting joy and excitement
Pets love to play no matter where they are with their owner. More often, a student will hug, stroke, or touch their animal. This calms both the pet and the learner. It has a soothing effect that drives away anxiety and loneliness and feels like the joy of traveling. The learner feels excited, joyous, and relaxed.
Pets can help improve academic performance
A report by Pets in the Classroom shows animals can help enhance academic performance. The study further says they help enhance social skills and confidence in learners. They help boost focus, concentration, and general emotional support.
These are key ingredients to improving academic performance in students. Walking a dog helps keep a learner physically healthy. It can improve their sleep patterns and in turn, boost performance and grades.
Final thought
Educational development experts recommend using pets to improve academic skills. They say animals help enhance social and time management skills in learners. Studies show students who own pets get better grades. They do well in other activities such as art, sports, and creativity. Studies by Insider and Wellbeing show dogs are one of the best pets for emotional support. There is no doubt at all that animals are a great source as emotional support for everyone, including college students.
Author’s Bio
Kathy Mercado is in love with her job – it allows her to interact with students which helps her update her knowledge and stay in sync with the latest happenings in the writing world. This gives an edge to her in many ways – she crafts better papers, researches from new sources, and develops killer outlines. The final work in the form of sample essays is excellent.
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