Can Pets Influence Performance At K?

When you unexpectedly see someone walking their puppy on K College’s campus, does it just make your day? Can the mere glimpse of a cute kitten prowling through the grove of Living Learning Houses bring a grin to your face? When you’re stressed from exams, do you feel like if you could just hug Fluffy, everything would be better?

Well, you’re not alone! According to a study conducted at Ohio State University, many college students feel like owning a pet has beneficial effects on their physical and mental health. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) agrees, citing that “pets can decrease your blood pressure [and] feelings of loneliness.” Pets are also beneficial in rough times of the year like winter, when students find it hard to get out of bed in the morning and need as many pick-me-ups as possible.

So how does this relate to life in the “K Bubble”? How does the administration view pet ownership on campus and in the residence halls?

Pets, with the exception of fish, are listed as a “prohibited item” in Kalamazoo College residence halls. The entire policy is as follows: “Students found in violation of the prohibition against pets must remove the animal(s) within 24 hours and will be assigned cleaning and pest treatment charges and any charges related to replacement or repair. Animals remaining beyond the 24 hour grace period will be removed by the city's Animal Control Unit at the resident's expense.”

But in light of such studies, should the policy be changed? According to some students, yes.

Dalton Simancek, K’12, thinks the pet policy is “a little extreme.” When asked if he thought pets made a difference in one’s happiness, Simancek responded with a confident “definitely.” Although Simancek acknowledges that many students face difficulties such as pet allergies, he supports the idea of a “pet friendly dorm or Living Learning House.”

Other students generally agree, and various ideas have included having a “hall pet” (a pet for each residence hall) or changing the pet policy to include other low-maintenance animals such as hamsters or lizards.

However, according to Catherine Herzog K’09, the policy should stay just the way it is. Herzog currently lives off campus and owns two dogs and one kitten. Although Herzog acknowledges that there is a remarkable difference in her life with the ability to own pets, she feels like pet ownership is a huge responsibility for which not all K students are prepared.

The obligations involved in owning a pet are non-negotiable. Dogs, for example, need to be walked in addition to being fed regularly and spent time with. Animals, like people, can become sick and just like hospital bills, veterinary fees can be expensive.

Students also need to keep their own lifestyles in mind. Can the obligations of owning a pet fit in with the spontaneity of college life? What about the costs of pet food, veterinary bills, and pet training? Pets are a huge responsibility, and oftentimes they’re one more responsibility that the hectic schedule of a college student simply cannot accommodate.

“The bottom line is…people need to be aware of both sides of owning an animal, and be prepared to really care for another life,” Herzog said.