Finals week in college often brings increased stress as students strive to finish the academic semester strong. Bringing relaxed reassurance and a little lightness to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students during the pressure-filled time of year are therapy dogs.
Studies show interacting with therapy animals increases oxytocin and reduces stress. On Monday, Dec. 10, students petted, hugged and visited with a couple sweet pups from CHAMP Assistance Dogs in the Morris University Center’s Goshen Lounge.
Four-legged friends with Got Your Six Support Dogs are also bringing stress relief to students Monday-Thursday, Dec. 10-13 in Lovejoy Library’s Friends Corner.
Photos: Senior Colleen Mock, of Quincy, smiles happily as she interacts with Socrates, a Rough Collie, with CHAMP Assistance Dogs.
Students gather round Izzy the Goldendoodle in Lovejoy Library. (L-R) Fairen Woolard and Aleah Glodich and Austin Uhls, of West Frankfort; Brooke Snyder, of Alton; and Christa Becherer, of Kaiserslautern, Germany.