Support Animals in College

Why you might want to consider having a furry friend

This semester, my roommate got a cat for our apartment to help ease some of her anxiety. Dolly, the sixth roommate, is a one-year-old cat who has a lot of love to give. Her sleepy cuddles are balanced with unpredictable bursts of sprinting up and down the stairs. Not only has she become a source of entertainment, but she’s also been incredibly helpful to have around in regards to mental health. 

When my roommate first told me she was getting a cat, I was a bit hesitant because of the stereotypes I had heard about cats and their drastic mood changes—and the fact that I had never owned one before. I’m more accustomed to dogs, and I know that they are always happy to receive attention, whereas I thought cats needed their own space. 

However, when we met Dolly for the first time, my perception changed entirely. Dolly immediately wanted to get to know me and situated herself as close to me as possible. I quickly learned that head scratches were her weakness, and we’ve been buds ever since. Now whenever I pass by her, it’s nearly impossible to resist petting her insanely soft fur. 

This semester, I’ve spent a lot of time at my apartment with Dolly during the day, given that the crippling cold makes a short walk to College Library feel like an eternity. She naps on my bed while I study, she sits at the table with me when I’m eating, climbs onto my chest when I’m laying down and she even follows me into the bathroom. I’ve found her constant companionship to be very comforting in ways I did not expect.

Sure, it helps that she’s very tiny and cute, but it’s more than that. I was fully expecting to go through my annual seasonal depression this winter, and I braced myself for a rough start to the semester. But truthfully, I’ve never felt happier than I have this year. Having Dolly has given me a reason to look forward to being at home and I’ve felt like I have a little baby to look after. Her peaceful presence is very soothing, and scooping her up after a long, tiresome day is an effective motivator to get through tough times. 

Beyond that, her quirky personality always gives us a good laugh. Dolly is famous for her playful snorts and surprisingly stinky farts. She gets the zoomies at the most random times, and she will sometimes will crawl up your leg and give it a good squeeze. And, if she’s in the mood, she will lunge at anything that moves.

Dolly has made a big difference in our household, and I’ve felt a noticeable change in my mood when I’m home. I don’t feel so cooped up like I normally do in the winter. Instead, I enjoy being at home. If anything, the hardest part of having Dolly is leaving her at home. She won’t suffer in the same way a dog might when she’s alone, but I still feel guilty. 

If allergies allow, I would tell any college student to consider owning a cat, because I didn’t even know I needed one until she arrived. The stress we endure is not easy, and having Dolly around has made school much more manageable for me. She’s been the perfect addition to the family because she’s so low maintenance in exchange for the huge emotional support we all receive from her.