Hofstra should allow pets in dorms

Photo courtesy of Veronika Jorjobert via Unsplash

Disclaimer: I would like to recognize that some students already have animals on campus, usually in the form of a service dog or emotional support animal. I want to be clear that I’m not saying these students have special privileges. Their animals are there to assist their owners with everyday tasks and should not be seen in the same manner as everyday pets.

A new study has emerged which found that petting a dog increases brain activity. This got me thinking about what this would look like for students who reside in Hofstra’s dorms. We live high-stress lives as we split our time between academics, extracurriculars, work and our social lives. This begs the question, would allowing students to have pets in the dorms be beneficial? 

Obviously, allowing pets on campus would add another responsibility to a plate already full of classes and extracurriculars. These pets are living creatures who require food, water and attention, which is something that some students potentially wouldn’t take the time to indulge. But a pet’s needs are similar to our own. 

Humans need to move around, eat and drink, as well as be cared for. We share many of the same needs as pets; if we can take care of ourselves, then pets shouldn’t be a challenge. 

Another concern could be where the pets would stay; some would argue that our dorms don’t have enough space for them. Animals do require a certain amount of space according to the Humane Society. The Animal Welfare Act requires that pets have enough space to move around, lie down and sit or stand comfortably. This is usually done by providing a dog bed or crate that gives the animal their own personal space. Pets need somewhere to lie down, eat and play; some dorm rooms wouldn’t be able to handle both a student and a pet. 

However, several large schools have established pet-friendly dorms without issue, so why can’t Hofstra? Some may object to living with pets due to allergies or discomfort with animals, and that’s fine. The schools that allow pets on campus have procedures for this; for example, they may require the pet to be housebroken, up to date on vaccinations and registered with the school or residential life. 

A furry companion would help relieve the stress of college life. This is the same reason why the school brings in therapy dogs around finals to help soothe the burden of cramming and studying. Why can’t students bring their own pets to help them unwind? It would aid students in their battle against mental and physical health struggles. This stress relief wouldn’t be something that students need to wait for or coordinate, they would just have a pet on campus that they could relax with.

These animals would also help their owners get outside. It’s become common for students to turn into hermits once school begins, meaning they rarely see the outdoors. This is detrimental to student mental health, as it can lead to the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Owning a pet would be something that forces students outdoors, as pets need to use the restroom and expel energy throughout the day.

Walking or playing with your pet would be an easy way to destress while simultaneously getting outdoors, both of which are recommended for students to improve their mental health. Hopefully having pets on campus becomes an option for students. A cat or a pup to assist students in stress management and to teach some responsibility is something the school should support.