Dogs are known as ‘mans best friend’, this animal -human relationship has a strong bond and deep history. It’s almost like we can’t live without our pets.
As college students living away from our childhood home and living on a limited student budget, owning a pet is typically not in the question. What also comes with a college students lifestyle is stress.
Every month, alternating between a Wednesday or a Thursday, UMD brings in dogs, cats, and other animals so that students and staff can pet their stress away. UMD PAWs is a program aimed to simply use therapy animals as a way to help relax and take the mind away from school.
The animals are always excited to receive pets. There are usually many dogs, from small energetic dogs to huge and content dogs. The cats ordinarily sit in one place or wonder around. In the past there have also been hedgehogs, and even two ponies.
Personally, just seeing smiling these animals is enough to get me to smile and forget my stress.
PAWs takes place monthly in the Kirby lounge usually around midday. (University of Minnesota Duluth)
Photo retrieved from Flickr, “Daisy Dog” taken on Dec. 19 2016
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