After these first few weeks of school, the ever-familiar stress that students face can seem overwhelming. Luckily for students, Puppy Playdates are a great experience where students can play with dogs to help deal with the pressure caused by attending school. Getting to spend time with dogs and having fun with other members of the university can really help with stress and can even prove to be a chance to make new friends.
“They are all privately owned dogs,” Assistant Director of Wellness Lena Newlin said. “We coordinate with an organization called Rockin E Dog Training and they certify therapy dogs.”
Rockin E Training LLC. is located in Laramie and has been training animals for over 35 years. They’re philosophy is to build harmony and understanding between owners and their companion animals, by using positive methods and education. (Taken from their website. Not sure if I should put it in quotes or if that needs citing. https://www.rockinedogtraining.com/) The Wellness Center works with them to find certified dogs for these events.
“We have [Puppy Playdates] in September, October, November, and we’ll do it during finals week over in the library,” Newlin said.
These events are a chance for students to interact with certified therapy dogs and relieve some school-related tension that builds up during the school year. Puppy Playdates are open to all students, staff and members of the community and they are a free event. After signing in at the event, attendees may go in and interact with the dogs for as long as the event is held. While all the dogs are certified therapy dogs, some are also trained to do tricks for the enjoyment of all attending. One such attendee who enjoyed themselves was Claudia Demarco, a student sworking towards a PhD in Animal Science from Brazil.
“I love it. It is my first time here,” Demarco said. “I really appreciate this. I have one dog in Brazil that I really miss a lot.”
These Puppy Playdates are a great experience for all who are present and are held in Half-Acre Gym once a month. From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. students and faculty can enjoy the company of the dogs present. As well as Puppy Playdates, there will be a Kitty Cuddle next Tuesday in the same location at 4 p.m. Students and staff who missed the Puppy Playdate or those who went to the last event this month can also come enjoy further stress-relieving activities with cats.
