Southeastern Library partners with Humane Society for exam stress relief
Contact: Tonya Lowentritt
Date: May 15, 2013 
HAMMOND - Students facing final exams this week at Southeastern Louisiana University flocked
to Sims Memorial Library last Thursday (May 9) 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 adoptable 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.
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.
PLAYING WITH POOCHES – Southeastern Louisiana University student Erin St. Pierre of Larose gives kisses to "Pinta," 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.
