by Kayla Munoz
As many know, dogs are lovable creatures and they are admired by many. There were once rumors of the installment of a dog room at CI where people would be able to play with a dog to relax. A great addition to our University would be a dog room.
According to avma.org, animal owners have strong bonds with their pets, and even just petting an animal can help some people unwind. Dogs have been known to be used in therapy to help in many situations, from anxiety to being there for victims when they testify in court.
Dogtime.com states that similar ideas for a dog room have been expressed at other colleges across the world, including universities in Nova Scotia, Canada and U.S. states such as Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Dog rooms that have been established on other college campuses have been extremely successful. “Just petting a dog will decrease your blood pressure and relieve anxiety,” a professor from the University of Ottawa explained when asked to describe how helpful these animal companions can be when it comes to de-stressing.
In order to ensure safety, dogs would be checked for hostility and students would have to check in with ID and contact information. This allows students to be held accountable for negligence and makes sure the animals are safe. The time students will be able to spend with a dog could also lead to adoption of that dog. If a student wishes to check out a dog for a walk they would be limited to one dog at a time, which would make it easier to keep track of and handle, and must stay on campus.
A dog room could not only bring job opportunities to students but it could be a way to bring contact to these dogs. Students that don’t have cars or the money to go to animal shelters would be more willing to go as well, as there would be no cost with a dog room on campus.
Stress is a real problem — for some students it can become a lifestyle — which can be very damaging to the mind. It is very important that we find ways to help solve this problem, and a dog room on campus can do just that. In distressing times, especially for the students of CI, a companion is always needed.
