Hounded by stress, McMaster students go to the dogs

By Cory Ruf, CBC News

Posted: Dec 17, 2012 7:07 AM ET

Last Updated: Dec 17, 2012 7:16 AM ET

 

What has four legs, a tail and sometimes moonlights as a relaxation tool for stressed students?

A dog, that's what. Or several of them, as will be the case at an event at McMaster University on Monday.

The Student Health Education Centre (SHEC) is welcoming Mac students to take some time away from their books to play with a group of canine companions. The aim is to reduce stress levels among the student population during exam season.

"A lot of people are far away from home and value having the comfort of having a pet nearby," said Meagan McEwan, SHEC's programming coordinator.

The fifth-year arts and science student has experienced the calming influence of animals in her own school life. On several occasions, she brought her rabbit Merry to class on several occasions — before he died earlier this year.

McMaster isn't the first Canadian university to recruit dogs to boost student morale. Others, including Dalhousie, Queen's and the University of Alberta, turned to paw power as well.

"I would bring him in to visit and people just loved seeing an animal. We're so devoid of that contact and that experience here at the university."

The Monday pet fest will be third and final one of this exam session. The previous events, held earlier and December, featured a half dozen pooches and attracted 50 attendees each.

"When people walk in the door, you can see them visibly react," McEwan said. "It has been such a wonderful turnout and wonderful feedback."

The dogs belong to representatives of the Hamilton-Burlington chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) volunteers, who visit schools to teach children about caring for animals.

This time, McEwan noted with a touch of glee, a bunny is slated to make a cameo appearance.

Students can get their furry fix in Room L113 McMaster's Mills Library between 1 and 2 p.m on Monday.

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