Jacob Burman is trying to do it all. He is not only a chemistry major carrying a full load at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, he also performs in the school’s plays and musicals. With final examinations coming up, it was just a bit too much for the Chatsworth freshman. Sleepless nights and stress left him with a bad cold. Enter the puppies. To help stressed out college students like Burman cope during the week leading up to final examinations, the university brought in a gaggle of puppies. Under the assumption that petting a puppy is good for the soul, the university had Puppies and Reptiles for Parties bring about 10 of the adorable little creatures to the Pearson Library on May 1. “It was really nice,” said Burman. “I have dogs at home that I miss dearly, so this was relaxing.” The school also brought a massage therapists and a yoga instructor to campus to help relieve tired backs and aching shoulders from hours of studying. There was also a ping pong tournament and a paper airplane contest for students who like to de-stress in a more active way. Such stress busters are becoming more common on college campuses nationwide. Some schools hide candy in the library while others bring in therapy dogs. It’s part of a broader effort to make the library a more inviting place for students, while also helping students relax during a time of high anxiety. The puppies were great, Burman said. But what worked even better going into his chemistry test: a good night’s sleep.
Four-Legged Stress Relief for Students
