FaithManor Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 So my son is sitting in the library studying for a final exam and he texted me that he has a dog in his lap! It turns out that the psychology department is experimenting on the student body to see if therapy dogs reduce exam stress! He's perfectly happy with this adorable animal snuggling with him while he studies world history. The service was provided free by a local animal trainer who raises therapy dogs and also re-trains abandoned canines. I think he said they have a dozen dogs there. The program wasn't supposed to kick off until Dec. 15th which is officially the first day of finals week, however, a number of professors decided to have finals this week so they can take off for the holidays - we have found that the academic calendar that was issued this semester is more of a mere suggestion than an actual schedule - so they decided to start early. I think it's a nice idea. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 (edited) Dd said kittens were added this year :) Edited December 9, 2015 by Luckymama 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 My library is connected to a community college. They have coloring books out you can use and return. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfarm Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 I think therapy dogs would be great study buddies, but fear that active little kittens might be too rambunctious to stay still long enough. They could be a fun interlude to take the student's mind off things for a bit, but not such great lap warmers IMO. I grew up on a small farm. When I went away to college, it was the animal companionship I missed the most. I used to say that I could talk to the people I missed on the phone, but that didn't work with the animals. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThisIsTheDay Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 Okay, these ARE really cute! I was expecting the post to be about some new orientation or welcoming program that is a nightmare for introverts. ;) Puppies in laps. Adorable. Kitties would be a refreshing break. And my college girl asked for coloring books for Christmas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanHomeEd Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 I grew up on a small farm. When I went away to college, it was the animal companionship I missed the most. I used to say that I could talk to the people I missed on the phone, but that didn't work with the animals. We were elated to see this the other day Colleges for Animal Lovers http://www.fastweb.com/college-search/articles/colleges-for-animal-lovers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 My daughters college just posted on Facebook they are having two golden retrievers you can visit with. My daughter is going to need one for herself for the next week :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Girls' Mom Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 They had dogs to relax with last semester during finals week at our school. They also give fee massages in the rec center (actual massage therapists) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhudson Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 It would make my ds more stressed. Animals are not his thing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Yes, they've got therapy dogs at the local community college as well. Also snacks, a harpist, and free coloring books and crayons. Mine just wants to get it over with, but it's a great idea! I remember them doing a few special things in the dining halls, but nothing else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 Yes, I love the harpist idea. Currently, they are piping in some harp music to the library. At my college they had a big supper, huge and much later than usual since many were going to stay up late and the jazz band played. That was the night before to kick off the week. Nothing else was done. However, my piano professor really had nothing for me to do on our last scheduled lesson day and took me out to lunch which was just so much fun. She did that each year and I sure did appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 When we visited dd's intended university, the tour guide told us they do a Pancake breakfast at midnight the first night of finals. I thought it sounded like a nice stress reliever, but I'd have preferred to have a dog. No harp music though. Oh my. No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 When we lived in Japan, the kids and I started hitting the petting zoo that would be set up at big on base events. Nothing like sitting in a corner with a bunny or guinea pig to bring down stress levels. I have pictures of my kids with 4-5 bunnies curled up around them. And the best part was that they went home at the end of the day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 Ours did cookies and hot cocoa each morning and one day advertised to "take a selfie with Santa." Not sure if that was a hit or not, I felt a bit skeptical ( I think dogs might be a better idea...), but I'm sure the goodies were appreciated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopskipjump Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 One of the schools dd is applying to posted a pic of a therapy PIG there for the students! Made me smile. Although, if I were a student and everyone in my tight/living-in-dorms-together social circle had spent considerable time petting and snuggling with pigs, golden retrievers, and other such furry/hairy creatures.... I would have spent the week before finals doped up on allergy meds, itchy with hives, sneezing and congested. lol So.... hmmmmm.... :huh: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted December 14, 2015 Share Posted December 14, 2015 DS' university has a "rent a dog" program the week before finals. For $5 you can play outside with a rescue dog for 30 minutes. It is a stress reliever for the kids and an amazing fund raiser for the pet rescue. They are busy the entire time they were there. I'm not sure how many dogs they brought, but I'm under the impression it was several. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 We were elated to see this the other day Colleges for Animal Lovers http://www.fastweb.com/college-search/articles/colleges-for-animal-lovers We have a friend who goes to Lees McRae. And has her dog their. Her roommate has a cat. :-) She even takes her dog to class with her! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 My oldest would want the cats/kittens. My middle would want the dogs. Middle's college has midnight breakfast on the first reading day with a free t-shirt for the first 300 there. She was going to go, until she saw people get in line at 6 pm. For a midnight breakfast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 My daughter texted me last night around 11:30pm and said she was going to the cafeteria for breakfast. Yep, during finals week, they offer an additional breakfast from 10:30pm til midnight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grantmom Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 DS' university has a "rent a dog" program the week before finals. For $5 you can play outside with a rescue dog for 30 minutes. It is a stress reliever for the kids and an amazing fund raiser for the pet rescue. They are busy the entire time they were there. I'm not sure how many dogs they brought, but I'm under the impression it was several. I like this idea better. I would worry for the people that are allergic to dogs if they had a lot of dogs in the library. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 My oldest would want the cats/kittens. My middle would want the dogs. Middle's college has midnight breakfast on the first reading day with a free t-shirt for the first 300 there. She was going to go, until she saw people get in line at 6 pm. For a midnight breakfast. That's crazy! I hope they studied while they were in line! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 (edited) That's crazy! I hope they studied while they were in line! She said they did. Full backpacks and all. ETA: she said the t-shirt wasn't that good. Edited December 15, 2015 by momofkhm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted December 17, 2015 Share Posted December 17, 2015 DD said they had puupioes visit during finals week. She got to pet an adorable mini schnauzer puppy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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