Animals Help Students Relieve Stress During Exam Week

On the last Wednesday before final exams, 125 people stopped by the grotto to pet Sage, Autumn, Koda, and Reggie. Students took a break as they entered the stress of final exam week to snap a selfie with the dogs or cat, talk with other students and handlers about pet ownership, and even mention the stress of preparing for finals. 

The weather was perfect for enjoying the sun, chatting with students and staff, and visiting with the animals and handlers. The PAWS for People event was part of the Drive-Thru Workshop Series for Spring ’16 sponsored by Disability Services.

The therapy dogs are stress-relievers, and the health benefits of dogs and cats are well-documented. They can help college students, for example, as one enthusiastic student said “when you get around the dogs, you get a grin on your face, and the days is better for petting [the dog’s] wiggling body.”

Students and staff grouped around the animals and took turns petting the obedient animals. The dogs and Autumn, the cat, seemed to soak up all the attention.

Thank you to PAWS for People, coordinated by Deb Harris at Cummings School of Veterinary Science at Tufts University, and handlers Denise, Stephanie, Christine, and Mary for spending time with us!