Owning a Dog in Pharmacy School BY: KENZIE KILMAN
CHIEF
As we progress in some of the most academically rigorous years of our lives, many of us look to find something unrelated from school to de-stress. Maybe it’s a new workout routine or a new hobby. For me and many others, it was getting a dog. Animals are arguably one of the best ways to take our minds off the craziness of our lives. If you’re like me, I was terrified of having a dog while in school. I questioned if I’d be home enough or if I’d have time and energy to feed and walk him every day. Caring for another life takes an enormous amount of commitment and time management. I have taken mental notes over the past three years of dog ownership on what works best for our schedules. Hopefully, I can provide some more insight on what it’s like to own a dog in pharmacy school. To clarify, I got my dog when he was four years old and entirely trained. Getting an older shelter dog can often mean they are already house trained and know basic commands. This can save a ton of time and relieve feelings of guilt when leaving a puppy home. I have left my dog home alone for ten hours on occasion and that could never be done with a puppy. Puppies need twice as much attention and care compared to older dogs. Rescuing a dog will typically mean they are free or cost a small fee with all health requirements already taken care of. I am not saying getting a pure-bred, newborn puppy in pharmacy school is impossible to manage. However, I think it takes someone who has conquered the time management skills. When I thought about my friends that raised puppies, I realized that they were able to raise a puppy because they did not commit to a full-time pharmacy program. Unlike my friends, I did not have the extra time to raise a puppy with my work and school schedule. If you’re contemplating where you will find the time to have a dog, try to think about all the times you sit on your phone looking at the never-ending abyss of irrelevant content for hours. Think about the ten minute break that turns into a three hours break in between watching lectures. Those are both examples of extra moments you can dedicate to your dog. With that extra time, you can take your dog to the park, lounge around with them, or teach them a new trick. If you are worried about the extra time it will take in the mornings to walk and feed them, add an extra 20 minutes to your morning and evening routines. You will find that you have a plethora of time for your dog. As you spend time with a dog, money is quickly spent on their necessities. Before you decided to pick up your new pet, be sure you think about the cost of owning a dog. You should budget for food, vet bills (I highly recommend pet insurance), flea prevention, grooming, and an emergency fund. Once you know you can afford the necessities, see if there is wiggle room for things like dog parks or doggie daycares. Give yourself at least 6 months to actively think about getting a dog (I waited a year). Again, it is a huge commitment, but it has been worth every moment and was the best decision I made.
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