Exam week is approaching University of Memphis students, which means they will be stressing out and preparing for their final exams, but it also means the therapy dogs will be back to barking on campus.
The McWherter Library on U of M’s main campus will host Paws to Relax on Thursday with dogs to pet and cuddle from West Tenessee Therapy Dogs. The dogs will be in the library from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for students to come and alleviate some pent-up stress from studying for finals.
Anne Weiss, the director of West Tennessee Therapy Dogs, said the organization has worked with the U of M for a couple years now, and the dogs make a complete change in the students’ moods before their exams.
“Dogs bring smiles, hugs and warmth,” Weiss said. “That’s what people need after studying. Studies have also proven that dogs bring down blood pressure to help reduce that stress.”
Pets, especially dogs, have a positive effect on reducing stress and negative feelings, according to a 2018 study by the University of British Columbia. Students who interacted with dogs are found to be more active, happier and still show positive signs after a 10-hour period. The study also reported students who connect with dogs were found to feel more supported when studying.
Weiss said one way to help reduce stress is by having a friend for support, but dogs are a good second option.
“Just by the dogs being there and feeling their fur helps relax the students,” Weiss said. “The dogs are very happy to see you, just as you are happy to see them.”
Weiss said the dogs are not the only way to relieve stress, but they help students if they do not know what else to do.
“Students need to get enough sleep, even though it’s pretty hard to nowadays,” Weiss said. “The dogs are there to very much help in reducing stress. The dogs don’t know what you’ve done on your tests, but they still love you.”
Courtney Hicks, a community engagement librarian for the U of M who is organizing this event, said the dogs are here to help students and bring some relief to their stress, and the U of M continues to bring them on campus during exam weeks.
“Studies have shown that petting dogs can relieve stress in humans,” Hicks said. “Therapy dogs allow students to de-stress during finals in a positive way.”
Hicks also said the therapy dogs are there to help students take their minds off studying and exams and for them to just relax.
“They allow students to take a break from studying, even if only for ten minutes and forget about the stress of finals and studying,” Hicks said. “Dogs can bring so much happiness, and we at University Libraries are excited to be bringing that happiness to our students.”
Hicks said the therapy dogs are not the only way to relax on campus. The library hosts multiple other events going into finals week to help ease the stress of the end of the semester. They will host a Bubbles and Sidewalk Chalk event Friday where students can relax with some bubble-blowers and chalk drawings in front of the library. They will provide supplies Monday to create do-it-yourself stress balls, and throughout the week, there will be coloring sheets and board games for students.
Courtney Gui (23, Psychology) plays with Prince the puppy. Prince is only 9 months old.
