“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole,” photographer Roger Caras said. Whether it’s dropping a toy in front of our feet, or lying next to us as we pet them, life is always fuller with dogs. These amazing animals put a smile on our face, reduce stress, and bring us together as a whole, which is why we need them at KO.
COVID-19 has made many aspects of school very different compared to years in the past. While it is great that we can go to school five days a week and get the most out of our learning and teaching experiences, we still have to wear masks for hours on end, social distance, and sit at tables with plexiglass in between us. Along with this comes the constant worry about getting infected with the virus or spreading it to our loved ones. As a result, several teachers have decided to bring their dogs to school to bring joy into the tough situation that we are all in.
When there are dogs at KO, we can go see them during free periods, at lunch, and may even have a class with them. “Dogs on campus genuinely boost the happiness of students, which is helpful when we are having a bad day or are stressed about a test,” freshman Liv Stevens said. Research has shown that small interactions with dogs causes oxytocin (aka the “cuddle chemical”) to be produced in the human brain. Oxytocin reduces stress and anxiety, while increasing feelings of relaxation, empathy, and trust. This allows us to focus more on the non-stressful things when dogs are at school.
These furry friends give us a reason to talk to someone who we do not know very well. When people see dogs on campus, they walk over and pet them. Students talk to the dog’s owner about their pet and can share their passions about these animals. Dean of Students Krista Sahrbeck brings her dog, Bear, to school with her everyday. “Students love Bear, pretty much to the point where they know my dog more than they know me,” Ms. Sahrbeck said. “It has been great and enabled me to meet so many more students.” From talking about different breeds to laughing at stories, dogs make connecting with each other feel effortless.
There are only a few negatives: bathroom breaks, leaving dogs outside when they can’t go into the dining hall, and slow walking. Sage Dining constantly needs to get more apples for English teacher David Hild’s dog Cali, who loves to eat them for lunch! If these are the worst parts about having dogs at KO, then we should be pretty happy.
Clearly, having dogs at KO brings in many positives and very few negatives. “I would love it if more teachers brought their dogs to school,” freshman Ava Cashman said. Thanks to the three dogs on campus, our KO environment has been more fun, and less stressful.
