Missing your dog as a student?

Missing your dog as a student?

For students across the country, September is a fresh start and a new academic year. It signals new opportunities and, for freshers, a total change of city, home and life.

Many of you may be leaving beloved family pets behind. Well, we think we have the perfect solution!

BorrowMyDoggy offers the chance to spend time with a dog either on an ad-hoc or more regular basis and build a lasting relationship with the dog and their owners. You could be helping out owners who are struggling to find care, getting outdoors in your new city and socialising with other dog walkers at the park.

Not only this but there are a wealth of benefits for students to spending time with a dog including decreasing stress, increasing fitness and helping your mental health.

Getting started to borrow a dog as a student

It’s really simple to get started. Simply create an account, fill out some information about yourself and select how much availability you have across the week. You can then find out how many dogs are in your area and decide if any of the adorable pups look like your pawfect match before going Premium.

BorrowMyDoggy x Universities in the UK

Did you know that BorrowMyDoggy has been working with some SU’s across the country to get students memberships? If your university isn’t yet involved, you can get in touch and find out more here.

The universities that are already involved have found that BorrowMyDoggy is a helpful tool to look after the health and wellbeing of their students, especially during the lockdowns when other forms of help were not available.

Meeting your first borrowed dog

Once you are ready to meet a dog for the first time, make sure to read through our etiquette guide below to be the best borrower!

Make sure to outline your availability across the year, not just during quiet periods. Will you be going home during the holidays or will you be too busy during exam periods to keep up a consistent availability? Make sure you and the owner are on the same page so they can decide if you are the best match for their requirements and neither of you will be let down.
If you are bringing friends along to enjoy the doggy time, make sure to let the owner know. Only the account holder should handle and take care of the dog, otherwise, you will not be covered by insurance
If you are in student accommodation or renting privately, make sure you know the rules on having pets in your home. That will give you the option to have the dog come to stay with you if needed. Make sure to check with housemates that it is OK and whether they have allergies.

Student stories

Student Charlotte joined BorrowMyDoggy whilst at university in Bristol and started borrowing Beezus, the Bernese Mountain Dog. After finishing her course, she moved to continue her veterinary training in London, where Beezus and her owner, Annie, had also moved! Charlotte shares how

meeting Beezus and Annie definitely helped me get through my last year at university and my finals. Beezus is so happy all the time that she lifts your spirit immediately.

For owner Annie, BorrowMyDoggy has had a very positive impact on her dog, Beezus. As she shares,

it’s really good for her to be able to go out with other people and feel comfortable and have other experiences. She seems so happy.

You can also refer to our general borrower etiquette guide for extra tips and safety information.

Now you are ready to make the most of all the lovely local dogs in your university city! Don’t forget to tag us in any photos you take as we love to share the joy of borrowing across our platforms!