Animal Support at Home During Online Learning How having and not having pets affect different people while stuck at home.
had fish before. I love how aquariums and terrariums look,” Carter said. However, unlike Buehler, he decided against getting a pet despite quarantine.
By: Roudra Chatterjea
“I considered getting an iguana or snake or something like that, but they are so much work to properly take care of that I decided not to go for it,” Carter said. “Since I can’t really adopt a dog or a cat, the idea of getting a reptile or fish seems a bit impractical.”
It’s no secret that having a pet decreases your stress levels on a daily basis, but in 2020 pets’ roles are even more important than ever because of the pandemic. Around the world there has been a sharp increase in pet adoption.
So, it seems that animal support, despite it currently trending, is not a necessity or an option for According to Kim Kavin Grace Buehler, 12, and her dog Hulie are some people, while for others it’s from The Washington Post perfect snuggle buddies. Courtesy photo something that makes life easier wrote, “Americans kept trying to fill and makes a person happier. People voids with canine companions, eihuge snuggle bug so if I ever need with animals can certainly have ther because they were stuck workphysical attention, she’ll come cud- their lives changed, but for some ing from home with children who people, their lives can change withneeded something to do, or had no dle with me. It’s great,” Buehler said. out them. work and lots of free time, or felt lonely with no way to socialize.” With the pressure of school Cats, dogs, hamsters, rabbits, vari- and upcoming college applications, ous reptiles and others are a very pets are very natural and important important source of support during stress relievers. these trying times. “When she’s (Hulie) When you are abruptly cut around, she’s a huge destresser. Acoff from your friends and the outtually, I think she’s been realizing side world, which you have been in I’m more stressed, and so she’s touch with your entire life, compan- been hanging out with me a lot ionship and support is vital in more,” she said. Photograph: Grace your home, and pets open up a Buehler whole new world. What if Buehler didn’t have When it comes to animals, a pet? Would she have adopted one? it’s all about trust, and with months “Yes, 100 percent. I would of constantly being together, that go out and bring home a dog mytrust grows stronger. School work, self,” she said. jobs, company and life in general have all been made easier with a pet However, pets aren’t for by one’s side. everyone. Some people are or have Grace Buehler, senior, who family members allergic to certain animals, while some people aren’t Courtesy photo is doing the online version of school, has a dog named Hulie who very bothered by being alone. is eight years old.
Ike Carter, junior, happens to fit both these categories, and he “I think it [quarantine] has currently has no pets. been a million times better with my dog. It’s really nice to have her “My family members are around, and my dog’s a allergic to dogs and cats, but I’ve
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“Well I mean pets are always nice. They’re wonderful and cute and interesting and fun,” Leo Visser, 11, said. “I feel like they help us emotionally, and recently I feel like everyone needs more emotional help than ever.”
