Mount Saint Mary College students take a well-deserved break from finals preparation to hang out with a therapy dog at the Kaplan Family Library.
As the semester draws to a close and the pressure of final exams mounts, Mount Saint Mary College students found a friendly study break waiting for them in the Kaplan Family Library: a squad of wagging tails and wet noses.
Just before the campus heads home for Winter break, Hudson Valley Paws for a Cause brought therapy dogs to the college, offering students a much-needed chance to “paws,” breathe, and decompress.
For students juggling research papers, final projects, and exam prep, the event provided a quick but meaningful moment of joy.
And the science backs it up: research shows that spending even a few minutes interacting with animals can significantly lower heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and decrease cortisol levels.
The event was a collaborative effort to support student wellness during the busiest week of the year, co-sponsored by the Kaplan Family Library and Learning Center, Counseling Services, Disability Services, Health Services, and Student Activities.