The Secret Life of Stetson Pets
A beautiful puppy with yellow-gold fur wags excitedly at the sight of me from under a table in Palm Court. I glance at her owner, wondering for a millisecond if I should intrude upon their study time. But those brown little puppy eyes! There’s no thinking anymore.
“Hey. Sorry, but can I pet your dog?”
Raisa Bailon, a junior studying Molecular Biology at Stetson University, glances up at me then quickly glances at her mix-breed puppy.
“Huh?… Oh, yeah, go ahead.”
Hunkering down, I reach out to Keller, named after Helen Keller because she never barks. Keller sniffs my hand cautiously before nudging it, cradling her head into my hand for petting. As I rub the ever-wagging Keller, I ask what most people ask when meeting a new puppy. What breed is she? How old? How long have you had her? Ridgeback & Golden Retriever mix, about 10 months, and they’ve lived on campus since last October.
As I keep talking to Raisa, I find out that while the joy of having Keller with her on campus is more than worth it, there are a number of headaches that accompany being a fur-mom in college. Raisa mainly complains about a recent policy change that prohibits pets from entering classrooms and the library, even though none of her previous professors had a problem with Keller. The change in policy means Keller does not get to leave their room much, which makes Raisa feel awful.
“This is really the only time I get to take her outside during the day. When I have an hour or more between classes, I grab her and a book and we hang out here.”
Palm Court is bustling now, noisy with students moving between classes. Keller stays under the table, watchful and alert, but does not make a move towards any other students walking by — except to wag her tail. Keller acts just the same way in a classroom, but the policy change does not make exceptions. Stetson University’s “Guidelines for Animals on Campus” and “Animal-Friendly Housing Guide” clearly lays out the do’s and don’ts of keeping a pet on campus. Only service animals, or service animals in-training, are allowed in classrooms, the library, and many other areas which differs from previous semesters when all animals were welcome. Raisa mentions that an e-mail was sent out the first day of the Spring 2017 semester, but many students didn’t read it.
“Most people found out through the library because they’re really strict about it.”
With the policy in place as it stands now, pets are only allowed in outside locations that are open to the general public and they’re limited to three of the fourteen residential buildings on campus.
It is thanks to Dr. Wendy Libby, President at Stetson University, that pets are allowed on campus at all. She recalls one of her first meetings with the student body, back in 2010, when the floor was opened for questions. The first question asked of Dr. Libby was if she liked red or white wine. Dr. Libby laughed, “The second question was when will pets be allowed on campus. And, I said to the student, ‘Next fall.’” Dr. Libby was inspired by a similar program from her previous school, Stephens College, in Missouri.
Although Dr. Libby wasn’t intimately involved with either the former policies or the recent policy changes, she mentioned that one of the main factors for this semester’s change is that some of the faculty members were concerned that animals would be disruptive and distracting in their classrooms.
“We had to make sure that it didn’t affect people’s allergies, or affect the cleanliness of the building, or the people who didn’t really want to be around pets didn’t have to be.”
Dr. Libby has two Labradors at her home, but says that they do not come on campus with her.
Raisa waves her hand, agitated, “I always hear the recruiters advertising Stetson as a pet-friendly campus. I now find this deceiving, as we cannot bring our dogs to classes or the libraries, spaces where we spend a lot of time. I did not bring my dog to Stetson for her to be locked up in my apartment all day.”
Raisa is an international student and spoke about the lengthy process to get Keller on campus. There are four different forms, including one asking for permission to have a pet in the shared space from any roommates staying with Raisa. Then there are certificates required from veterinarians stating that dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, vaccination records, flea/tick maintenance, as well as obedience training, a pet license from the City of DeLand, and, finally, a $50 fee each semester. Though not required, Stetson strongly encourages pet insurance. If a pet lives on campus without insurance, students must sign a liability waiver.
There are also routine inspections performed each semester to make sure that pet owners are living in compliance, which involves re-checking forms, ensuring the housing space is undamaged, and that the pet is actually the approved pet living in the residence.
All of this is completely worth it to Raisa and many other students living on campus with pets. “Keller relieves my stress and is a great companion. I just wish I could give Keller more of the time and attention that she deserves.” Raisa mentions even having the ability to bring Keller to her job as a tutor in Sampson Hall would help out, but that building, along with many others on campus, is not pet-friendly.
Keller snuggles at Raisa’s feet, her head resting on top of Raisa’s black converse. Palm Court activity has slowed down to a crawl as classes begin. Keller sighs, in what can only be described as contentment with her life, sitting with her very best friend in the fresh air and sunlight.
In Stetson’s “Animal Friendly Housing Guide,” students can find nearly all the information needed for pets, including nearby emergency services, pet suppliers, groomers, and local dog parks. This resource is invaluable to any student wishing to bring a pet on campus, or whom already has one.
