Blacksburg, VA, May 1, 2019 - Man's Best Friend: Junior Daniele Correa poses with his dog Thor, a Chihuahua and Miniature Pincher mix. Photo: Sarah Carr
Above is a infographic providing data on pets and mental health.
The power of pets
Virginia Tech students share how furry friends have impacted their lives.
By Sarah Carr - May 13, 2019
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Whether it be bettering one's time management skills or simply putting a smile on one's face, pets provide many benefits in college when it comes to mental health.
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​The stress of college classes on top of living alone for the first time can be a difficult journey for a lot of students. Erin Howe, a junior at Virginia Tech said her hedgehog Henrietta helps her stick to her busy schedule in the midst of the chaos.
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​"Even though she is pretty low maintenance, she has kept me on on a schedule and has helped me learn to plan things a whole lot better,” said Howe.
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According to the Mental Health Foundation, pets can provide owners with so much more than just time management skills. The Foundation says that pets are a great way to reduce anxiety and stress – which many people in college experience.
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“A pet can be a great source of comfort, companionship and motivation for their owners. In many ways, pets can help us to live mentally healthier lives,” said the Foundation.
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Daniele Correa, a junior at Virginia Tech said that his dog Thor makes him feel better during stressful times both at home and at school.
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“He definitely makes me a whole lot happier. During stressful times just the fact that I have to go outside and walk him and that I even have him as a companion to be there for me definitely helps a lot,” said Correa.
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Although having a pet in college isn't for everyone, their loyalty, companionship and overall presence is something that many people can benefit from.
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