Finals week in the Texas A&M University College of Engineering was less harried and more furry, thanks to the incorporation of visiting therapy dogs to help students alleviate stress.
“We have more than 13,000 engineering students each week studying in our new Zachry Engineering Education Complex, as well as the state’s only vet school,” said Dr. M. Katherine Banks, vice chancellor and dean of Texas A&M Engineering. “Vet school professors have demonstrated the benefits of human-animal interaction to relieve stress, so bringing animals to interact with students between classes is a good way to help our students manage the challenges of finals week.”
A volunteer team from Aggieland Pets with a Purpose brought therapy pets into the building to visit students during final exams. Promoted as “Finals are Ruff — Paws to Relax with Puppies and Pi,” oohs and ahs could be heard throughout the Zachry Engineering Education Complex as students, stressed from the rigors of finals week, were greeted by an assortment, ranging from a young golden doodle (labrador-poodle mix) to an elderly rottweiler-shepherd mix.
Students laughed as they petted and brushed the dogs, took selfies and loved on the animals. A blind tortoiseshell-colored tabby cat named Spirit astonished students by happily walking on a halter and leash in the hallways, rewarding petting with loud purrs.
“As a veterinarian, I have always known that pets and people share an extraordinary connection, defined today as the human-animal bond,” said Dr. Eleanor Green, dean of the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.
“Research is now confirming that this connection is mutually advantageous. Documented benefits of the human-animal bond include positive effects on cardiovascular function and health, including lowered heart rate, decreased blood pressure and even improvement of some abnormal heart rhythms. A sense of well-being and reduced anxiety also result in correlation with hormones, such as cortisol, prolactin, oxytocin and dopamine.”
Veronica Stilley, director of the Student Services Office in the Mays Business School, brought her dog Izzie, a bichon frise poodle mix sporting a holiday-themed bandana. Through her job, Stilley said she sees the stress that students are under during finals week so she volunteers with Aggieland Pets with a Purpose to give back to the community.
“We go on a regular basis to hospitals and rehab facilities, nursing homes and hospice facilities,” she said. “During finals time Aggieland Pets with a Purpose visits campus.”
Local high school student Krista Bligh brought in her golden doodle, Parker. His scruffy, fluffy fur and elf hat made him a crowd favorite.
“I knew I wanted to do therapy work with him,” she said.
First year engineering student Avery Wintters practically tackled Parker and exclaimed that she had been stressed all week.
“I just finished a final for precal,” she said. “I only have one more.”
Wintters said dogs make her feel more relaxed, a sentiment that Bligh said she hears often.
“Whenever students walk up to him they just light up with a smile, and I’ve just had lots of people tell me that it really helps,” she said. “Just petting him releases stress and they can get away from it for a little bit.