Lamar helps students relax before finals with therapy dogs

Lamar University brought therapy dogs in to help students relax before taking their final exams.
Lamar University brought therapy dogs in to help students relax before taking their final exams. | Courtesy of Shutterstock
Lamar University recently brought therapy dogs to campus to help relieve its students of the stress faced in the final weeks of the semester.

The dogs were on campus until Dec. 8 to help relax students before taking their final exams.

“Nothing can improve your mood the way hanging out with dogs can: they’re so happy and playful,” Sophomore General Business Major Luke Barnett said.

The dogs were located in the Mary and John Gray Library on Dec. 7-8, courtesy of Paws 4 Love Therapy Animals Group.

“We originally tried to do rallying, but Zoey was too eager for it,” Judy Ferguson, volunteer and owner of Zoey, said. “Fortunately, we got involved with therapy. We love it, and the finals therapy at Lamar is our favorite event.”

Although Caitlin McAlister does not own a pet herself, she makes a point of visiting the therapy dogs every semester.

“I have been coming for several semesters now, ever since I found out about it -- they’re so cute and fun to hang out with,” she said. “It gives the students a chance to do something really relaxing at a really stressful time of the semester. How can you be stressed out when you’re cuddling an adorable dog?”