Who doesn’t love their pets? High school can be challenging enough, balancing academics, extra activities, part-time jobs, and social dilemmas. It’s easy to get swept up in the day, but during these four years, pets can provide comfort, emotional support, and stability.

Whether it’s the dog greeting you right at the door as you reach home, or when you just need a good snuggle and hug. First, pets can offer way more to a person than we think. Pets secure an emotional bond with a child that is beneath our eye. Pets can reduce stress and anxiety. Our bodies’ main stress hormones can be lowered by just simply interacting with dogs, this creates feelings of calm and happiness for the human body.

For high school students, taking a break to play or cuddle with your pet can be a mental break for your mental reset. These breaks are essential for tests, assignments, and social anxiety. In an interview Josey Jangia was asked, how do your dogs help you feel calm and lower your stress level? Jangia responded by saying, “They help me feel calm because they are so warm and cuddly and they distract me from the stress.” Another interviewee Amelia Sporman, 12,  responded to the same question. “Whenever I have a stressful day I go home and pet my dog and their energy will rub off on me and they’re so happy to see me and it makes me happy too. “ Overall, in the busy and stressful world we live in live in pets are a great escape.