Dog Has Heartbreaking Reaction to College Student Packing: ‘Won’t Let Go’

People have been left heartbroken after a young woman shared the family dog’s reaction as she left for college.

A young woman named Kaylee, known as @kaylee.ziobro on the platform, shared an emotional moment that has left viewers teary-eyed. As she prepared to leave for college in Chicago, her loyal dog, Bailey clung tightly to her leg, refusing to let her go.

The video, which has now amassed over 28 million views, perfectly captures the bond between Kaylee and the family dog.

The caption read, “she won’t let go,” as the video panned to Bailey, the dog, holding tight and looking up at her owner, seemingly understanding that it was more than a routine goodbye.

In the comments, people reacted to the dog’s response to her owner leaving.

“Are you joking rn pls tell me you stayed,” said Finn. While Jailynn wrote: “The way I’d unpack the car so fast.”

Lain agreed and wrote: “Time to unpack,” while Tatyanaxchanel said: “The way this would make me cry uncontrollably.”

As the academic year begins across the United States, many college students are experiencing the bittersweet reality of leaving home, and Kaylee is not the only person leaving a family pet behind.

A study conducted by Washington State University in 2021 found that a significant number of college students experience separation anxiety when leaving their pets behind. The study surveyed about 150 incoming first-year students who had pets. Of the respondents, 81 percent were women, a statistic consistent with trends in college enrollment, where 60 percent of students are female.

A significant 75 percent of new college students reported some level of separation anxiety when being away from their pet, while 25 percent said they experienced moderate to severe symptoms of this anxiety.

Students with dogs were more likely to report higher levels of attachment and separation anxiety when compared with cats and other pets.

For most students, leaving their dog behind while they go to college is a rite of passage, though, as approximately 96 percent of colleges in the U.S. do not permit pets on campus. There are a few colleges that are more pet-friendly, including Clarion University, Pfeiffer University, and Johnson & Wales University, which allow dogs and other pets in designated areas or specific dorms.

Last week, another college student shared his dog’s reaction to the car filled with his belongings as he got ready to head to college. Similar to Bailey, Connor’s dog looked heartbroken as his owner headed away.

Newsweek has reached out to @kaylee.ziobro via TikTok for comment.