Why pets should be allowed in college housing

Like any ordinary college student I stress – hardcore. I take on too many tasks at one time, involve myself in overlapping activities and always seem to get piled with homework assignments no matter how hard I try to keep up. I also suffer from PTSD due to previous head trauma on top of everything else, and this made me feel hopeless when times got tough. Thankfully, I got Charlie, and that made it better.

My “Comfort Cat” as the University of Pitt-Johnstown calls him has drastically decreased my stress levels, and he’s even helped out the seven other girls I live with. Getting Charlie approved wasn’t very easy. I had to talk to the counseling services on campus, collect the proper paperwork through my college, have my doctor fill out pages of forms to justify my “condition” and “need” for an animal on campus. This is also a process I am required to complete before every school year to assure the university I still need a “Comfort Animal.”

Whose heart wouldn’t melt seeing this after class?

The majority of people I know on campus who also have a cat, hamster or even a snake have no choice but to hide them and risk getting fined because the paperwork process is like an obstacle course set up for failure. If you get caught with an animal that isn’t allowed on campus you have until the end of the week to get rid of it or else you face pricey fines.

I get that there are risks having an animal on campus like them getting loose or harming someone, and allergies are always a factor as well. Most universities make it nearly impossible to have your companion live with you. After doing some research “fish only” was the most common pet allowed on majority of campuses in the U.S. I’m sorry, but fish aren’t very comforting to me. I applaud the colleges that at least have designated housing on campus where you can have a pet.

Owning a cat or dog has both physical and mental health benefits. Pets are known to help reduce stress and anxiety – just petting a cat is calming. Caring for another creature can help you take your mind off your worries which can improve your mood. Additionally, the presence of a cat that will snuggle with you can help you calm yourself as your enjoy the unconditional love from your furry friend.

Living with my cat Charlie and seven girls has helped us grow closer together than we ever would have without him. We raised a cat for the past year which is basically like a child at this point in our lives and to me that’s a pretty big deal. It has tested our patience and sense of responsibility as young adults which has helped each one of us grow in our own way. Plus, this experience will leave us with lifelong memories of our cool orange cat, Charlie.