Most people have heard the saying, “dogs are a man’s best friend.” A study done by BarkBox found 71% of dog owners believe their dogs make them happier people. The same study found that 81% of dog owners attribute their dogs’ help in getting through difficult times.
However, for college students, adopting a dog or another pet may not be as simple as it seems. Those renting a house or apartment may not be permitted to have pets on the property, and pets are also prohibited in the dorms.
Kansas State’s newest addition to the faculty, a golden retriever named Oakley, may bring some comfort with his soft butter-yellow coat and constant showcase of affection.
Teaching assistant professor of psychological sciences, Dr. Natalie Barlett said, “Even small, like five to 10 minutes with a dog can show improvements in someone’s day. This can include decreasing your cortisol levels, which can decrease blood pressure. It [petting a dog] can increase the release of oxytocin in the brain, as well as serotonin. Your body physically changes while petting and interacting with this dog.”
Emily Scherbarth, junior in animal science, believes that a therapy dog on campus will be beneficial for students.
“I think moving away, a lot of people have to leave their pets behind,” Scherbarth said. “I think that a bond with an animal is a lot different than a bond you could have with a person. So I think having something like this will help a lot of students who are missing their connections with their pets.”
Talaya Stout, a senior in life sciences pre-optometry psychology, also believes animals can bring physical benefits.
“I wasn’t exposed to a lot of animals growing up, but with my roommates, I’ve been a lot more exposed to them,” Stout said. “When I come home, I can just see them and pet them and hug them and I don’t have to say anything to them. They just understand and that’s something that’s really refreshing to me.”
Beyond the question of who may benefit from the campus’s newest addition, the when is also important.
“I think beyond individuals who already like dogs, it’ll be more, not who but when,” Barlett said. “During not only finals, but big exams and presentations, when someone feels homesick, when someone feels like their mental health is suffering a bit, those are times where the presence of a therapy dog may benefit students.”
