Puppy therapy is getting serious
I’ve noted before here the new craze in universities for providing puppy rooms to helps students overcome stress, particular at exam time. This model, imported from North America, really does seem to be taking off in the UK with lots of universities and students’ unions being seduced by the idea that cute furry puppies can help stressed out students relax and overcome exam jitters. And who wouldn’t be drawn to this?
But it seems that this really isn’t enough. USA Today has a story about a whole new approach:
Animal lovers, prepare to be jealous. While typical perks at a college or university include free laundry, on-campus gyms and constant campus security, some schools (read: more prestigious schools) have gone far outside of the box.
Most notably Harvard and Yale, among a few others, have enacted dog therapy programs for students. While these calm dogs are normally used to aid senior citizens or people who are ill, colleges and universities have turned to these canines to help combat the immense stress facing the modern-day college student.
Cooper, a Shih Tzu, and mini-celebrity among college therapy dogs, has become the face of this program at Harvard University. This little canine works specifically in The Harvard Medical School’s Library helping sleep-deprived and overwhelmed, studying students. Cooper is so popular that students can reserve time with him on the Harvard Library’s website.
Cooper is really blazing a trail. Is this the future of student support?
