Domestic animals such as dogs and cats serve as more than just pets for some ULM students.

Students might find them therapeutic when coping with stress associated with attending college.

A recent study published in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health said researchers found a 60 percent decrease in anxiety and loneliness symptoms among college students after animal-assisted therapy.

Taylor Greene, a junior biology major, said her two cats named Simba and Cato are “like [her] kids.”

“I tell them I love them and kiss them a million times a day,” Greene said.

Students seek comfort from pets for anxiety, loneliness, sadness and pain. Greene said her “babies” cuddle with her if they sense she is not feeling well or is stressed.

Christy Acree, a junior pre-speech language pathology major, said, “Humans need emotional connection, and an animal will provide that without judgment. They pick up on all of your emotions, to being happy when you are to feeling the pain when they sense you’re hurting.”

Acree said her 8-year-old Doberman named Tobi remained beside her “through many difficult times,” including the loss of her best friend of 17 years in 2010, a bitter divorce in 2011 and the loss of her father last February.

In addition to stress relief, students look to pets for protection.

Kelsey Gregory, a senior criminal justice major, said her dog helps when she suffers from seizures. Gregory said having multiple seizures each day is especially difficult as a young college student.

“My dachshund caught on that something wasn’t right with me and started alerting people when I have one if I’m in a different room my family when I’m getting too stressed and could possibly have a seizure that day I can take a step back and try to just relax,” Gregory said.