Students used the power of doggy love to relieve stress brought on by upcoming final exams.
On Thursday, May 9 the Sims Memorial Library joined forces with the St. Tammany Humane Society in order to provide students with “Pet Therapy,” allowing them to interact with dogs in the library breezeway.
“This seems to be the most stressful week for people,” said Beth West, systems librarian. “So I had read about therapy dogs and how they provided stress relief for people who have PTSD, for students, and for young children who have anxiety with reading. I thought it would be great to provide that kind of service for our students.”
In addition to helping students to relieve stress, Pet Therapy also provided an opportunity for the St. Tammany Humane Society to spread awareness of their cause. All of the dogs at the event were up for adoption. Students were able to buy T-shirts for $5 or make donations to the St. Tammany Humane Society at the event.
“It helps to be active in the community to establish a relationship and just to get our word out there that we’re here and what we’re all about,” said Janie Valle, adoptions and foster coordinator for the St. Tammany Humane Society. “We’re the only no-kill shelter in the area, and we are nonprofit, so we run by donations.”
According to Valle, student participation “the enthusiasm here is all worth it.” Students were indeed delighted to take part in Pet Therapy, and turned the breezeway into a cackling cacophony of canine cheer. Its safe to say the therapy produced its intended effect.
“I think it’s awesome,” said Lynsey Manley, senior general studies major. “It’s a good way to relieve stress and watch dogs running around and be goofy. I love puppies!”
This is the second year the library has hosted Pet Therapy. Originally, the event was called “Puppy Therapy,” but the name change was brought about after complaints from students.
“Last year we called it ‘Puppy Therapy’ because I just figured ‘puppy’ is such a cute word,” said West. “Most people really loved it, but one or two people were like ‘There aren’t really puppies here,’ because some of them were really young, but they weren’t actually babies.”
West considered the event a success, as there was any students  involved and enthusiastic. There are plans to host Pet Therapy again next year and to eventually incorporate the event into Southeastern tradition.  
For more information on the St. Tammany Humane Society, visit their website at sthumane.org.