Some people may think that animals get in the way of your thinking when you are trying to work. Although that may be the case with some pets, the article “Acknowledging Animal Companions”, proves otherwise and how animals can be a good emotional support animal when you are trying to get things done. For example, cats are a good animal if you just want company without having to let them outside or play with them constantly, since they are lounge animals. Having an animal companion can drastically help work ethic. Additionally, there have been a number of people who stated their input on their own experiences with their pets as work partners and they call them their “research collaborator”.
Having an animal companion while you are working can improve your mental health. People may feel more comfortable if they are surrounded by a pet for the sake of comfort while they are trying to complete an assignment or a regular work day. Animals are known to release the calming chemicals in your body that can help with anxiety and stress. According to PubMed Central, animals can put out strong positive effects on humans and reduce stress by lowering epinephrine and norepinephrine chemicals. It also includes oxytocin and how HAI affects the oxytocin system. As a result of that, they can make you feel more calm and in that case, can improve your work ethic. If someone struggles with mental health, this can be a great alternative to take. This not only will be positive on the person who is working, but also positive on the animal who may need someone by their side for their comfort at the same time.
Additionally, pets and animals are a great way to improve your work ethic and help maintain concentration while you are working. Times Higher Education did a study in 2013 based on pets in academic workplaces. Based on this, there were multiple people who responded saying that when their pet is in the office, they feel as if they are more productive. This also can relate to universities. She cites studies focused on universities with “pet-friendly halls of residence,” in which students have been found more likely to “persist to graduation.” (pg 86). The more people who get a degree can further help them succeed in the workfield after college. The use of pet-friendly halls can inspire students to get more of their work done because they are calm and efficient. This can also help the professors in their teaching ways and have a higher success rate. Professors should consider having pets in class because it will make the students more excited and comfortable going to class and it will make them enjoy being there. Speaking from experience, when a student feels more comfortable and happy to be in class, they usually have a better success rate in the class and put more effort into what they are learning.
Lastly, it all comes down to which types of animal would be best for you while working. It all depends on what you prefer and this may include if you have allergies or if you do not think it is ideal to give them attention 24/7 while working. In the article, Acknowledging Animal Companions, there are multiple pictures people have sent in of them working with their pets by their side. Some different animals were an iguana, dogs, and cats. Cats may be one of the better options since they are “lounge animals” which means they sit back and relax and do not need to be played with and let out all the time. There is a photo of Michael Foucault, a French philosopher, with a black cat in his hands while he is working at his cluttered desk. At home, cats can give a great amount of composition and well-being. They can be a source of warmth and good energy while you are trying to do things. Just by having a pet as company, your work ethic can shoot through the roof and inspire you to put more effort into your assignments.
Therefore, animals and pets can make great companions and help your work ethic. It can improve your mental health and increase your chances of doing better in the workplace once you graduate from school. There are different pets which are up to your choice on which one would be best fitting for you. There are lounge animals like cats, or energetic animals like puppies. Whichever animal you choose, it will be beneficial in the long run and it will show in and out of the workplace. In the end, it all depends on your personal choice and what can help you succeed. It can depend on your age and if you would rather be taking care of a high energetic puppy that can be around you when you work, or if you would rather have an older cat who doesn’t need as much supervision. A few different animals that people have had as their work companions according to ThriveWorks.com, dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, hamsters, and more. Although it is up to you, it is proven that having an animal companion can help mentally and also when you are trying to get work done.