Miami University

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Miami University
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Students relax during finals week with four-legged friends

05/03/2012

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Furry friends help students relax during finals.

This year, Miami University's student counseling service invited some unlikely friends to help students sit back and relax during finals week. Students spent their down time between study periods and exams with canine companions.

Organized by former university employee Mary O’Leary, Furry Finals, in its inaugural year, was developed to help students relax during mid-terms and finals weeks. Licensed therapy, trained obedience and agility dogs are made available to students throughout the week to help them cope with the stresses associated with the end of a school year.

“There is evidence pets help reduce stress related reactions, such as blood pressure, so it’s likely there are physiological benefits to being around pets during stressful situations,” said Allen McConnell, the Jim and Beth Lewis Endowed Professor of Psychology at Miami.

Pets have a positive impact through physiological and psychological routes, such as helping people feel like they have greater social support and connection.

“Pets can also improve a person’s mood, and positive moods are shown to increase creativity, especially for divergent and out-of-the-box type thinking,” added McConnell.

And it’s a mutually beneficial project. Dogs are bred for interaction and working with people, so interacting with students is a positive experience for the animals as well.

Furry Finals is part of a pet therapy program at Miami University. The organizers of this year’s event said they will welcome the animals back next year.

Nine dogs came to campus this week, ranging from a miniature poodle to a 120-pound Rottweiler.