<p>I've heard from a lot of people that the faculty who are also dorm advisors keep pets with them in their apartment or living space which is also in the dorm. Do they have pets like dogs and cats? Because, I have a phobia of both those animals, and am basically super scared of all animals, except for like insects and fish. So, if they do, do their pets wander around the dorms too? Do any schools have no pet tolerance policies?</p>
<p>It’s going to be an issue for you, dude. Most BS have faculty that have dogs & cats, and they are often around campus.</p>
<p>Yikes! Any way to avoid?</p>
<p>not really. the dogs are outside and walking around and students love to pet them cuz they always come close</p>
<p>And which school is this at?</p>
<p>Oh, for goodness sakes - enough, already! Boarding schools are not big open playpens for dogs to run around loose. Certainly, many faculty, including dorm heads, will have dogs. But the dogs are not going to be running around out of their sight. So, if your dorm head has a dog, tell the dorm head that you’re scared of animals. If you’re out on campus and someone has a dog that gets too close to you, tell the person that you’re scared. In both cases, the dog owner should take steps to keep his/her animal away from you.</p>
<p>Most kids love having dogs around - it makes them feel more at home. But some kids are allergic, other kids are afraid . . . and the dog owners know its their job to keep their dogs away from those kids.</p>
<p>I play soccer at a BS and I see dogs all the time. Sometimes they’re leashed. Sometimes not.</p>
<p>Seriously, dude. Maybe it’s time for some therapy.</p>
<p>@luluandleo, been there, done that - And sooo not going back.</p>
<p>Maybe bs is not for you. But understand at some point you will have to deal with the world that contains cats, dogs, etc.</p>
<p>@Alexz825Mom, well I don’t think I’m going to give up BS because of a phobia.</p>
<p>Preppy–then you will get over your phobia. We all make choices to sometimes deal with situations out of our comfort zone. </p>
<p>My favorite line from a batman movie: Master Bruce, why do we fall? We fall so we can learn to get up.</p>
<p>You will learn that you will get through and over many things as you grow. </p>
<p>Good Luck and glad to hear you wont give up bs for a phobia…seems like you are ready to go to bs :-).</p>
<p>@Alexz, Thanks for the encouragement! I guess I’ll just learn to deal. :D</p>
<p>Dogs and cats should be the least of your concern. They are domesticated and will often respond to the commands of the owner. Most BS are in wooded and secluded areas which are prone to dear, squirrels, racoon, etc. At my son’s school, squirrels are bosses, no joke.</p>
<p>Try hypnotherapy…</p>
<p>Yes, regression therapy would help you find the root of the fear. 
Dogs wont walk around the inside of dorms and they are leashed when outside. Cats usually stay inside their owners home and really don’t go looking for new human friends. Use this exposure to overcome your fears. You will slowly get used to having them around.</p>
<p>Has anybody tried hypnotherapy? Does it actually work?</p>
<p>Plenty of people do it but it’s expensive and you have to see a shrink. Hopefully you will meet someone at boarding school w/ a dog/cat. If you really want to fix this prob, you should confide in that person and try to over come your fears by gradual introduction.</p>
<p>Hmm… I mean, I do want to overcome my fear, and don’t mind seeing a shrink but I wonder how effective it actually is. I will try confiding in a person though - I can’t live my whole life running away from domestic pets. But this hypnotherapy thing… Just might work…</p>
<p>The dogs we met at my Ds boarding school were very calm, totally used to being around lots of people, and would slowly approach tail wagging if you smiled at them. They are like “therapy dogs”, very calm and not overly friendly. It will help you get over your fears to spend time around them. They will not bother you if you are afraid of them. They do not wander around inside buildings, just stay in faculty houses and go out to play or walk.</p>