Pets can help people out with stress, especially Arrowhead students. Senior Kate Schwenker said, “My dog helps distract me when I am frustrated or stressed out about tests and homework.”

Studies have shown that pets like dogs and cats can relieve stress and even lowers blood pressure. Not only do dogs prevent blood pressure rise, but they help recover from heart disease. According to science alert, of the 58% of kids who owned dogs, 12% tested positive for stress and anxiety.

With kids who do not have a dog, the number of kids tested positive for stress and anxiety jumped up to 21%.

According to Science alert.com, “Pet dogs could reduce childhood anxiety, particularly social and separation anxiety, by various mechanisms. A pet dog can stimulate conversation—an ice-breaking effect that can alleviate social anxiety via a social catalyst effect. Companionship with a pet can alleviate separation anxiety and strengthen attachment.”

Many students at Arrowhead own dogs.

Senior Michael Eineke said, “After a long school day, it helps to see my dog so excited to greet me at the door.”

Also, senior Nick Tarnow said, “There is nothing better than coming home after a bad day, to see that my dog is waiting excitedly for me to get home.”

Senior Mathew Tarnow said, “I love that my dog always loves to see me, no matter what…My dog loves to see me know matter what happened the whole day.”

Senior Ty Roznowski said, “It’s nice when I take a break from homework of studying, that my dog is right there by my side to take my mind off of things.”

According to mother nature network.com, pets can do so much for a human, that we may not even realize: “One of your immune system’s jobs is to identify potentially harmful substances and unleash antibodies to ward off the threat. But sometimes it overreacts and misidentifies harmless stuff as dangerous, causing an allergic reaction. Think red eyes, itchy skin, runny nose and wheezing. You’d think that having pets might trigger allergies by kicking up sneeze-and-wheeze-inducing dander and fur. But it turns out that living with a dog or cat during the first year of life not only cuts your chances of having pet allergies in childhood and later on but also revs up your immune system and lowers your risk of eczema and asthma.”