Puppy Room At Dalhousie: University Brings In Dogs For Stress Therapy
The end of semester can be a tough time, with students feeling the crunch of big assignments and cramming for exams. Add to it the lack of sleep, eating badly and more than a few drinks, and it's pretty easy to get stressed out.
And we know, there are plenty of ways to fight stress — but Dalhousie University is trying out a new way: Puppies.
The Halifax university is creating a puppy room for on December 4th, 5th and 6th to help students cope with the stress of exams and end-of-term assignments.
Not surprisingly, news of the puppies has been met with excitement. A Facebook post published to the Dalhousie Student Union's page on Wednesday has already been shared more than 300 times in two hours.
"My major paper is due at 4 PM on the 4th... I will beeline it to the Puppy Room," wrote Dal student Jimmy Tennant.
Wow; whose department budget has THAT in it? We can barely cover the cost of our paper in the department, let alone a puppy rental fee.
ReplyDeleteSeriously? It's like my student who has a therapy cat (approved by her doctor) that she asked to bring to class.
students hell, I'm holding my office hours there!
ReplyDeleteI'm right behind you, M-AM!
DeleteI can't wait for our next dept chair meeting--I'm going to suggest this!!
I had this at my campus when I was a grad student, and it was a nice distraction from studying for finals. But I think the way we did it, students and faculty members volunteered to bring in their own dogs, so it didn't cost anything. So if it doesn't cost anything, I say go for it! It's healthier stress relief than smoking or drinking, and the puppies get to have some fun too!
ReplyDeleteThat's what we do at our SLAC. Good for students, and good for the dogs.
DeleteMaybe they are working with a rescue shelter to provide the puppies. That would help the dogs socialize and help the students relax. I actually like this idea. I guess I'm losing my edge.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of furries (http://furry4life.org/) in my classes. Since we don't have the budget for a puppy room, perhaps, theses students would volunteer their services to our stressed out students!!
ReplyDeleteAre they part of the Harvard Munch group? :o)
DeleteDavid, I haven't seen you posting in awhile. I am glad to see you are still with us.
DeleteMy uni has something similar run by the on campus clinic--it's just one dog, the hours are limited, and location varies. It appears to be intended for students, but I am totally going during exam week.
ReplyDeleteI prefer kitties, myself.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was "God help the puppies." Maybe I'm projecting a bit, but it seems to me that this is a job for older, more experienced (though still patient) dogs, who know how to draw boundaries and elicit appropriate behavior when necessary (but without snapping, snarling, or -- God forbid! -- biting). Then again, a puppy can always pee on someone without repercussions; it's just what puppies do.
ReplyDelete@CrayonEater: I, too, am more a cat person, but I'm not sure that the students are looking for a chance to sit very still for hours on end, hoping to lure a freaked-out kitty out from whatever is available to hide under, on top of, etc.
CC, you are right on the money.
DeleteThis is going to majorly stress out those animals.
Frankly, I find it mildly oogy.
It encourages the mindset that animals are there to provide whatever the human needs at the moment, with no reciprocity.
Hey, can we have an alpaci room in our new CM digs??
ReplyDeleteSad news from Halifax this week, as seven puppies were viciously petted to death by stressed-out students and faculty at Dalhousie University.
ReplyDelete"Little Nips never had a chance!" wept the faculty counselor assigned to helping the students cope with the trauma.
"I just wanted to alleviate my stress!" said Jimmy Tennant, who apparently petted little Nips so hard that he pulled the dog's scalp off of his skull.
Two biology professors cried openly into their lab coats as the fluffy, traumatized bodies of the adorably crushed, lacerated, and skinned puppies were brought out on tiny stretchers. The campus and indeed the entire Halifax community mourns the loss of little Nips, as well as his siblings Pootie, Chugs, Amelia Cuteseytoes, Nesbutt, Hashtag, and L'il Fuzzles.
No charges have been filed.
There are now plans to replace dogs with a duck.
DeleteNOT THE DUCK!!!! We already ate the alpaci!
DeleteSome faculty bring dogs where I work. Or course I think it's a good idea, so long as there are good treats (no wheat, no glycerine)!
ReplyDeleteI love dogs! I am all for having dogs around if the dogs want to be around. The puppies seem to have no choice in the matter.
DeleteFor a few years, a colleague brought her dog to work. Sadly, the dog was 'racist' in that the dog associated any male Asian with her Asian vet and barked and growled at our Asian population. It made for some awkwardness.
Another colleague then also brought her dog to work and that sad three-year-old "puppy" was not house trained. She left presents all over the building...
This led to a ban on pets in our building.
I'm going to bring my dog with me to final exams.
ReplyDeleteIs it alright if I train my old hound dog to sniff out cell phones brought to the exam?
ReplyDelete