On Wednesday Oct. 21 2015, Smith students gathered at the steps of the Helen Hills-Hills Chapel to meet, greet and cuddle over seven dogs brought over by members of the Smith Community. While cat or bunny lovers did not get a chance to see their favorite pets, the program was nonetheless a thrill for all in attendance. This annual event titled “Pet a Pet Day” helps students unwind from the busy college life.
Smith’s housing policy prohibits students that live traditional college housing from owning any kind of pets. The only exception for the policy are students requiring a support animal. The policy helps to maintain a healthy environment for students with allergies or those uncomfortable with of certain animals. And so, most animal lovers at Smith are deprived of contact with pets during their time at the college. Pet a Pet Day is therefore an important space for students fond of animals to reconnect with furry friends.
According to WebMD, there are several health benefits of having a pet. Animals help to prevent depression, and even reduce anxiety. For those accustomed to having a pet in their life, the college environment becomes difficult to navigate due to the absence of their pets, which they were used to having before coming to Smith.
Pet a Pet Day is usually rightly scheduled to align with one of the busiest weeks of the semester. This year it fell right in the middle of the midterm period when students are working on projects and exams. In this season, it is easy for students' self-care to take a nose dive as the pressures of deadlines increase. Events such as Pet a Pet Day are crucial in this sense, as they encourage students to slow down.
The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and the Animal Advocates of Smith College are responsible for organizing Pet a Pet Day. In addition to the pets, they provided typical fall snacks: Apple cider and donuts. The event also featured a note-writing activity where students were encouraged to write and display love notes to their pets. This avenue is perhaps the only one that would give students missing their pets a chance to express affections to their pets.
More than meeting pets, the event helps to bring Smith students in contact with each other. Pet a Pet Day connects different students who would otherwise never meet. The low-key nature of the event creates an authentic atmosphere for students to share and discuss pet stories.
Pet a Pet Day was a useful reminder of the simple joys of life to Smith students.
