Pitt students balance academics and pet care for stress relief

As college life becomes increasingly hectic, many students are finding solace in pet ownership. Whether it’s cats, reptiles, or service dogs in training, pets are offering stress relief and companionship to students navigating academic pressures.

Anna Lozito, a junior studying biology, initially planned to adopt one cat but ended up with two—Mika and Loki. “I never really planned on getting two cats, but Mika seemed to be lonely and is definitely happier with her brother here,” Lozito shared.

Lozito considers herself fortunate with her feline companions. “They are both super low maintenance,” she noted. “Obviously, it took some adjusting to get into a routine that worked with my classes and being home with them, but I am also lucky that I have a roommate who is willing to feed and take care of them if I’m going to be out late studying.”

Service Dogs in Training

Wendy Li, a master’s student in athletic training at Pitt, has dedicated her college years to raising service dogs. Through Pitt’s STEP at Pitt program, in collaboration with Canine Companions, Li is currently raising her fourth puppy, Bouquet.

Li describes the commitment involved: puppy raisers keep the dogs for about a year and a half, teaching them basic commands before they proceed to professional training. “They know when it’s dinner time. They know when they tend to go to the bathroom,” Li said, emphasizing how raising puppies has structured her schedule.

Another student, Morgan Tormo, a junior in social work and member of STEP, is raising a puppy named Caspian. “I have always had dogs growing up, and coming to school, I was like, ‘I need a dog,’ but I didn’t want to get a permanent dog [because] I don’t know where I’ll be after school,” Tormo explained. She finds the experience rewarding despite the challenges, saying it taught her “a lot of responsibility.”

Choosing the Right Pet

For those interested in less conventional pets, junior neuroscience major Ella Crimmins opted for a ball python named George. “I wanted a ball python because they are very easy to take care of and aren’t difficult to convince a landlord to allow,” Crimmins said. Routine tasks like setting up the enclosure and feeding fit seamlessly into her academic schedule.

Both Lozito and Crimmins stress the importance of research before adopting a pet. “There are so many shelters and rescues, especially in Pittsburgh,” Lozito noted, advising students to find a pet that fits their lifestyle. Crimmins added, “[Students need] to definitely do extensive research on their care and ensure they have the time and finances to commit to having a pet at this point in their life.”

Li also cautions about the responsibilities involved, sharing her own experience of timing her adoption to suit her circumstances. “I remember my third dog — I didn’t get her as a baby puppy, because I knew that during that time of my life, I could not handle an eight-week-old puppy, so she came to me when she was seven months old,” Li said.

For those ready for the commitment, Tormo recommends going for it. “It’s nice to have a pet at home [to] balance out a bunch of stuff and create a calm atmosphere for you,” Tormo said.