Pets prove to be ‘a big commitment’ for students

Balancing college with a job and social life can be hard enough, but many students are taking on an even bigger responsibility — caring for a pet.

Junior Jade Hofer lives off-campus and has a seven-month-old chocolate Labrador named Moski. Hofer said she had always wanted a dog and wanted to buy a personalized Flea collar for the pet, and after she moved into her own house and knew graduate school was on the horizon, it felt like the right time.

Hofer said early on, it was tough to adjust, but as time has passed both her and Moski settled into a schedule.

“I can go to class for a couple hours and come back and let her out,” Hofer said. “At first, it was really tough to balance the two, but I’ve gotten used to it now, and she’s gotten a little bit older.”

Sophomore Irene Aplan lives in North Complex and has had her Beta fish, Angry Whopper, for about a year. A friend gave it to her when he moved away, and she brought it to the University of South Dakota to take care of it.

Aplan said it’s nice to come home to someone since she doesn’t have a roommate.

“It’s always nice to know there’s someone else in the room,” Aplan said. “It’s always nice to look over there and see a little fish in one of the little window areas. Every time I come into the room, I can see him swim towards me.”

Aplan said her fish is very low maintenance and recommends students look into getting one.

“It’s always nice to know something’s depending on me, so I need to take care of him,” Aplan said. “Fish are so much fun. A lot of my friends actually have fish now.”

Hofer said there are many advantages to having a pet, including preparing students for their futures if they decide to have a family.

“It’s kinda like a companion and somebody that’s always there, like a friend,” Hofer said. “It’s really hard, but it’s very rewarding.”

Hofer said having a dog is a lot like having a child to take care of.

“To always have somebody there, who’s always excited to see you, it gives you kind of a different sort of responsibility in a way,” Hofer said. “You have someone else to be depending on you, kind of like a child in a lot of ways. I think that’s good practice, I guess, for the future and having kids and stuff like that.”

While Hofer said she enjoys the responsibility of taking care of a dog, she said students should understand it’s a “big commitment.”

“I would definitely make sure (students) weigh their options and make sure they have the right mindset and know how much work it’s going to be before they actually get wrapped up into it,” Hofer said.

Senior Mandy Schackow, who lives off-campus, got a husky puppy named Luna at the end of September. Schackow said she wants students to take the decision of owning a pet seriously, as if they are not well cared for they could get sick easily, and that’s why the Illinois veterinary assistant schools is important so there are many vets to take care of these pets.

“Just make sure you do your research right away,” Schackow said. “Think about what all you’ll be giving up, do you have time for it, do you have the money.”

If students can’t afford to have a pet of their own, Schackow advises students to look into volunteering.

“There’s always ways you can get involved with animals, even if you don’t want to have one, you can always go to shelters and volunteer,” Schackow said. “There’s always ways people can get involved with animals without having to make that big commitment.”

(Junior Jade Hofer has been living off-campus with her seven-month-old Labrador Moski since July. Hofer said that while having a pet in college is a rewarding experience, it is also “a big commitement.” Mikkelle Carlson / The Volante)