Southeastern library partners with Humane Society for exam stress relief
Contact: Rene Abadie
Date: May 3, 2012
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HAMMOND - Students facing final exams next week at Southeastern Louisiana University flocked to Sims Memorial Library Thursday (May 3) to de-stress with some furry friends, courtesy of the St. Tammany Humane Society and the library staff.
The Humane Society brought in a variety of large and small people-friendly pooches for a few hours, giving students the opportunity to play with the pets in the library breezeway between studying for finals.
"It's awesome to see the dogs out here," said student Sarah Link. "With all the stress of finals it's nice to be able to play with the dogs and just relax for a little while."
Students were encouraged to interact with the animals as part of a popular stress relief method called dog therapy, a movement that libraries and schools around the nation are beginning to join.
"The event went very well," said Beth West, reference/distance learning librarian who organized the event. "We had a lot of people stop by throughout the day. I think the students definitely benefited from this."
The St. Tammany Humane Society also had information on internships and volunteer opportunities for interested students.
CUTLINE
PLAYING WITH POOCHES – Southeastern Louisiana University students Kristen Shelton of Gonzales and Stephen Rutherford of Covington play with Bowie, a rescue dog brought to the university's campus Thursday as part of "Puppy Therapy," a program intended to help students de-stress before final exams.
