It is no surprise that teens today are stressed out with projects, SATs, and college applications while they try to balance healthy social and physical lives. Many turn to their best friends for help–those best friends are often dogs.

In a survey done in 2014 about Stress in America, it found that 30% of teens felt depressed because of stress, and 36% of teens reported feeling overwhelmed from stress, and 23% have skipped meals because of stress.

Class of 2020 president Emily Webb, said, “The semester is winding down, so we have a bunch of tests which can get pretty stressful. Having school, scholarships, college, and extracurriculars can sometimes be a hassle to manage with only 24 hours in a day.”

Having a pet requires a lot of work to take care of, but the outcome is a loyal friend for life.

Owning a pet decreases depression, stress, and anxiety. Additionally, pets can lower blood pressure and reduce the chances of having a stroke or heart attack. 

Owning a pet can increase opportunities to socialize. Having specific places for dog owners to take their pet like, grooming lounges, dog parks, and pet shops provide places where people with similar pet related interests can mingle.

Gallery • 4 Photos

courtesy of Natalie Rebetsky

Rebetsky has two dogs. Blue (on the right) and Peso (on the left) are both Australian Shepherds.

From a young age, Patrica Beachy grew up on a dairy farm surrounded by all sorts of animals. She and her sister would dress up the cats in doll clothes and push them around in baby carriages. Even so, Beachy would consider herself a dog person.

Beachy said, “When I bring dogs in ere of other animals, students are drawn to them. Kids that normally wouldn’t hang out together were sitting around the puppies; it’s all even turf so to speak.”

“I hate walking my dogs when I come home tired at the end of the day, but I know that they will knock me down with happiness when I put on my walking shoes, so I walk anyway. I always feel better after some exercise–it’s good for all of us,” said, Natalie Rebetsky, English teacher.

“They make my life so much better and make me less stressed! They have unconditional love, and they’re always wagging their tail, happy to see you. Even if you’ve had a stressful day, you get home and they’re just going crazy, jumping all over you, and so happy to see you,” said Jamie Hendi, History teacher.

After Hendi’s dog Dewy passed away, Hendi and her daughter got tattoos of his actual paw print on their bodies. Dewy was a labradoodle with big paws, so Hendi had to shrink the design so it could fit on her wrist. Hendi has two other dogs, Bentley and Dudley.

Jack Maerten, Class of 2020 member, said, “I always come home from school tired from the workload of the day, and my dog never fails to greet me at the door with a wagging tail and happy eyes.” 

We have been coexisting with these animals since the dawn of time. We rely on each other for physical and emotional support. As long as we take care of them, they’ll take care of us.