Furry friends will be on campus soon to soothe students feeling stressed out or overwhelmed by upcoming finals.
Cuddle a Canine is happening Thursday, April 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.in the Cactus Garden on the north side of Zimmerman Library. The Albuquerque Southwest Canine Corps of Volunteers and their people will be on hand to comfort, listen, and cuddle with students.
University Libraries (UL) is excited to host this event again after not being able to the past few years due to the pandemic. The UL hopes to continue the event each semester to help with that stressed out feeling students get as the end of the semester approaches.
The Albuquerque based Southwest Canine Corps of Volunteers is a local, not-for-profit organization with more than 70 members and multiple dogs. The organization has been offering pet therapy to the community for over 30 years. SCCV visits hospitals, rehab centers, libraries, the 911 call center, nursing, and long-term care facilities bringing relief that only a dog can provide.
Deborah L. Wells’ article, “Domestic dogs and human health,” published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, provides an overview of research exploring the positive impact of interaction with dogs.
“Over the years, research has shown that animals, and in particular dogs, can ameliorate the effects of potentially stressful life-events, reduce levels of anxiety, loneliness and depression, and enhance feelings of autonomy, competence and self-esteem,” she wrote.