Having pets at home can decrease high school students’ stress levels during quarantine

by Zoë Waechter ‘21

Thanks to COVID-19, many Americans have spent much of 2020 online, and students’ lives have been especially affected. 

Pets have always been a source of happiness for many, but during quarantine, pet owners may actually have an advantage.

Pets are able to fill the spot that other humans had in one’s life, which is especially important now. As HelpGuide says in their article, “The Health and Mood-Boosting Benefits of Pets,” “One of the reasons for these therapeutic effects is that pets fulfill the basic human need for touch.” 

A positive aspect of doing schoolwork at home is the ability that students have to be with their pets and the companionship that they provide. 

Although in-person human interaction is hard to come by at the moment, pets may be a good substitute for some. Eliana Friedman, a Cleveland High School senior, talked about having her dog at home. 

“I hold Chester and he sits with me while I do school,” she said. She said that this has a positive affect on her mentality, claiming he “relieves some stress and that’s a nice thing to have.

Pets ready for cuddles. Graphic courtesy of Miles Grant

For Kennedy Kass, Catlin Gabel (CGS) junior, her pets have always had a calming effect on her. “Interactions with humans can be really stressful and for me sometimes very overwhelming,” she said. “With my pets, it's different because they're not going to tell me I’m a horrible person or something.” 

Kass has two dogs, a cat, two rabbits and has been fostering another rabbit during quarantine. While some feel pets create an avalanche of stress and worry, she finds happiness in their company. 

“I’m definitely into animals. For me, they are the one way that I really cope,” said Kaas.

On the other hand, Nate Paradis, CGS senior, has trouble finding solace in all of his pets. In an interview via text message, Paradis described how his two cats, Patches and Stormy, don’t offer much comfort. 

“The cats don’t really help with stress because when they come around, they usually really want attention,” said Paradis “And it’s not as calming because they’re always running around.”

In addition to their lack of calming affection, the cats create an environment that is harder to study in. “They also make a lot of noise especially if they haven’t been fed,” said Paradis. 

This could be a difficult situation to live and work in for months on end. Luckily, Paradis’ dog, Zoey, loves to cuddle. 

“[Zoey] helps with stress because when she comes into my room and falls asleep, I feel good,” said Paradis. “Petting her calms me down when I’m stressed, and it gets my mind off a lot of things.”

For anyone out there questioning whether or not to get a pet, take it from these students: the benefits are worth it.