Pets on campus are involuntary participants in a scheme of emotions.
Oswego has a formal residential policy prohibiting pets in residential communities, except for fish in aquariums of up to 20 gallons.
However, hidden in the swirling vortex of a loophole lies the emotional support animal. In contradiction to the residential policy, The Disability Support Services of Oswego State allows pets in residence halls for students who suffer from anxiety, physical impairment or depression. Through a lengthy process of documents, signatures, rhetoric and doctors notes, a student may be allowed to have their pet on campus if it relates to the therapeutic needs of the student.
College life is riddled with pressure. Animals are definitely a stress reliever. When you pet that fluffy rabbit and look into her eyes you suddenly forget about that upcoming test.
According to helpguide.org, interacting with your fluffy friend raises serotonin, a chemical in the brain that helps relax and calm the mind as well as fend off depression. A well trained eye dog won’t leave a blind student in a ditch. Outdoorsy pets like dogs can inspire students to stay active and be used as icebreakers when meeting new students.
Sure, there are a lot of benefits that come with pets and they’re great to have, but in moderation. Oswego’s emotional support animals are a microcosm of a culture too obsessed with pets. As soon as our society reached dog sweaters that should have been a warning sign, but now our compact companions protrude into family portraits, pompous grooming competitions and entire cafes filled with cats. It is at the point where people will pay money for food with dangerously increased odds of stray hair being on it. This emphasis of animal mental health has become unhealthy.
Attending college is more than just classes. The institute itself is supposed to expose young adults to a new life away from their parenting households. This falling from the nest inspires these students to fly with independence. But this independence is hindered if they have to bring their pet bird Coco from home.
Life’s turmoil and its waves sometimes force us to part from things we hold dear. Why we forge such strong memories with loved pets and people from home is so that we are able to let go of the past. Depending on the past hinders personal strength, which is more of an aversion than a comfort. To hold so much personal worth and esteem in a bunny that you have to circumvent the conventions of campus regulations is contradictory to the preparatory nature of college.
Also, you impose the pet’s presence upon others who follow the standard rule of not having pets. This leaves them to have to deal with incessant barking in addition to incessant drunken human barking. This leaves students rightfully frustrated.
Life is busy. Between classes, clubs, friends, studying, fearing debt, walking, eating, breathing, crying and running, it is hard to give those little animals the time they deserve. It is the worst form of self-loathing when you relegate an animal to your stuffy room for most of the day just to feel good about yourself. It is not fair to keep that dog alone in a cage in your room so that he may not rip up the bed when that dog, probably named Colonel Cuddles, wishes to be free and in an open backyard. He wants you to be free, too!
Break the chain! Break the leash of pet over-reliance! Put down the dog dependency!
