Throughout adolescence, teens are often introduced to pets.

Cats, dogs, turtles, fish — you name it.

If done correctly, this could teach teenagers how to be responsible.

Senior Syerra Burene raised a bearded dragon by herself.

“I definitely think it taught me how to be responsible. It is like having a tiny, poky baby” Burene giggled.

Burene has been taking care of her pet, Eugene, for six years.

At first her mother helped by purchasing the food because it was expensive.

Burene is responsible for feeding him, cleaning his cage and everything else that goes with owning a bearded dragon.

Owning Eugene taught Burene how to stay committed and that sometimes his needs will have to come before hers.

Other students such as junior Brittney Dick have also learned responsibility through owning pets. She has three dogs.

Her dogs, Charlotte, Max, and Molly, have taught Dick how to take care of someone other than herself.

“The younger you are the more they teach you. Especially if you have had them all your life” Dick said.

Dick sees taking care of dogs like taking care of toddlers.

In addition, sophomore Lia Silvas agrees that taking care of pets teaches responsibility.

She has dogs, too.

Caring for another animal teaches children that there are other people in the world than just them.

If teens are told they are the sole caretakers of the pet, they learn to put others before themselves, how to clean up messes, and how to stick to a schedule.

Sometimes you are not going to want to take your dog for a walk, or clean out your bearded dragon’s cage, but you need to get up and do it anyway.