Image From Ava Etemad Rezai
Animals are a huge part of the lives of students and staff here at Washington High School. Whether it is their fluffy hair or their smooth scales, having a pet can provide comfort and companionship, especially during stressful times like exams or while trying to maintain a social life. Studies have shown that interacting with animals can have a positive impact on mental health by decreasing levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lowering blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood.
Owning a pet can be a hassle, but they provide many benefits that you won’t get from any other coping mechanism. To support this claim, many students and faculty members at Washington High School talked about their own pets and what benefits they provide in their everyday lives.
Ms. Dangi, one of the attendance clerks at Washington, has a five and a half year old golden retriever who she describes as the “love of my life.” She says, “He has affected my life increasingly. He brightens up my day and looks at us every morning with a big grin on his face. He gives us so much affection and is just a huge stress reliever.”
Adhishree Tondale, a senior at Washington, doesn’t have a pet. However, she does have a hobby of riding horses, which she commonly does to relieve any sort of stress. “Whenever I was nervous about college or about my future, my heart would beat extremely fast,” she says. “However, whenever I go and ride my horses, all my worries are gone. I sense this sort of freedom that I won’t be able to get if it came from a mere stress ball.” When asked why having pets is so important in life, she replies: “One is therapy. However, having to interact with something that doesn’t necessarily speak your language helps you read more signs and become a better person overall.”
Sharanya Gattapally, another senior at Washington, has grown up without having an animal in her house. As opposed to her friends, who constantly talk about their pets, she has no experience of pet ownership. However, this doesn’t stop her from taking care of herself in other ways. She finds therapy through playing basketball or dance. Since her love for animals is strong, she volunteers for other animal organizations. Spending time with animals, even if they’re not yours, can still give you the companionship and joy that pets provide.
Overall, pets play an important role in the lives of students and staff at Washington High School, offering more than just friendship. Whether it’s the love from a dog, the freedom felt while riding horses, or even just spending time with animals through volunteering, their presence can have a real, positive impact on mental health. Though owning a pet might seem like a lot of work, the benefits they bring—like reducing stress and lifting spirits—are hard to ignore. And if having a pet isn’t an option, there are still plenty of ways to experience those positive effects, whether by spending time with animals or finding other activities that bring you peace.
Arya Khadilkar is a current junior at Washington High School and she has lived in Fremont her entire life. This is her first year working on The Hatchet and she is very excited to interview people and write about news around the school. She is one of the captains of Washington High School’s Bollywood dance team, Taal, and loves expressing her art through dance. When she’s not dancing, she enjoys reading, singing, and playing with her Siberian Husky. Arya isn’t too sure about her major yet, but she’s certain that she wants to go to college in the near future.