By Message Staff
Maltese and retrievers provided the perfect distraction for Louisiana College students preparing for their final exams Wednesday, April 25.
With the assistance of the Catahoula Dog Club, the LC library hosted the “Paws Up” event for students on the day before finals began Thursday, April 26. Library director Rusty Tryon said many of the 125 LC students who participated in a similar event in 2017 reported reduced levels of stress after spending a few moments with the dogs.
Tryon said the event is a way for the library staff to minister to students by showing them they care about their emotional and spiritual needs.
“We know this is a very stressful time for students as they are wrapping up the semester,” Tryon said. “We wanted to give them a chance to take a break from all of that, to just get away and do something that is relaxing and calming. We think this will position them better as they move into those exams to be in a relaxed frame of mind, rather than really stressing out about it.”
Freshman Kari Speak said spending time with the dogs provided the perfect break from studying. A dog lover herself, Speak said petting and holding the animals helped her not miss her German shepherd, Oakley, and terrier/poodle mix, Scout, who live at her home in Denver, Colo.
“If you are stressed, pet a dog,” Speak said. “They will listen to you and give you love without wanting much in return.”
Piper Ellis, a sophomore from Houston, Texas, came away from the event more relaxed.
“They are so cute and they make me happy,” Ellis said. “It’s refreshing to have a chance to hang out with these dogs.”
