Furry friend joins election watch party

As election night anxieties peak, one four-legged friend is lightening the mood at a student watch party.

At the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) watch party, the group welcomed an unusual guest.

Junior historic preservation and anthropology major Carlee Ashby’s cat, Salem, sat with six other students in Towers West on SEMO’s campus, watching results roll in.

While pet housing has been narrowed at SEMO, especially after the closing of Myers, Towers West, mainly on the third floor, still permits pets without emotional support certification.

Salem has become a beloved mascot for the SDS group.

In a running joke, SDS members have dubbed Salem the Green Party’s own “candidate,” represented by Jill Stein, complete with a green tie handcrafted for the occasion.

“We all decided earlier this year that Salem definitely is politically affiliated just like the rest of us,” Ashby said.

Watching the election can be stressful; nearly 69% of Americans say they are stressed about the election.

But pets, research shows, can help reduce stress. The American Heart Association notes that pets provide companionship and emotional support, easing tension.

So, instead of stressing over results, follow the SDS example: curl up with your pet and let the night unfold without worry.