<p>Notre Dame does this…and even brought in a rabbit this year. Over 500 kids came to pet the pups!
[Puppies</a> sniff out student stress - News - Notre Dame - The Observer - University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College](<a href=“http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/news/puppies-sniff-out-student-stress-1.2724660#.Tu44XnM4Oao]Puppies”>http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/news/puppies-sniff-out-student-stress-1.2724660#.Tu44XnM4Oao)</p>
<p>I think I remember that St. Olaf does this. It may be dogs of faculty and staff members, but I’m pretty sure that there are dogs “available” in designated areas during finals week.</p>
<p>In a research paper I did, I found there are many studies that show having a pet relieves stress and seems to extend human life.
Off the point a bit, but that’s why some people claim they have a “service animal” when they are seeking housing in a “no pets” unit. Fido helps calm little Timmy, they might say. But a therapy animal or comfort pet does not rise to the level of a service animal.</p>
<p>[Miller</a> puppies return to the Hill to relieve student stress - Tufts Daily - Tufts University](<a href=“http://www.tuftsdaily.com/miller-puppies-return-to-the-hill-to-relieve-student-stress-1.2670343#.Tu6M8ZgqOfQ]Miller”>http://www.tuftsdaily.com/miller-puppies-return-to-the-hill-to-relieve-student-stress-1.2670343#.Tu6M8ZgqOfQ)</p>
<p>Rutgers has a Seeing Eye Puppy Club and it’s common to see them around campus, although they are not allowed in dining halls, dorms or labs. (they are allowed in the on-campus apartments). It is one of the more popular clubs on campus with demand far outweighing supply of puppies or the need for puppy sitters.</p>
<p>Denison did this this year, although DS went for a few minutes and then had to leave. Told his buddy it made him more homesick than he’s been all year. (My kids always seem to miss their dogs more than their mother.)</p>
<p>Grinnell did this for hell week. The study breaks had puppies/dogs (I’m not sure, I didn’t go).</p>
<p>I remember reading that D’s school, University at Buffalo, has pets and chair massages during finals week and they always have free snacks and drinks for students in various places like the Wellness office. I’m guessing this is somehow paid for by the student activity fees. D takes advantage of the free chiropractic care (well, paid for by the mandatory health fee) to get her stress knots undone.</p>
<p>I wish my D’s school did this; I know it would help.</p>
<p>She’s a junior, and when we asked her what she was looking forward to upon graduation, she said, among other things, “having cats”.</p>
<p>This reminds me of Rinky, who used to roam the campus at the University of Rochester many years ago:</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.lib.rochester.edu/index.cfm?page=3483&y=1981&v=43&i=4&p=18]Rinky[/url”>http://www.lib.rochester.edu/index.cfm?page=3483&y=1981&v=43&i=4&p=18]Rinky[/url</a>]</p>
<p>One of the tour guides at UCSB was in charge of the program to bring puppies to campus for finals week. We did the tour with our dog (world’s friendliest golden) and she got lots of attention from students. They even let her walk through the dorm, though this involved bending some rules. It’s been proven that people (and dogs!) release oxytocin when they interact positively, so the therapy seems to make sense.</p>
<p>MIT did it this year as well. The puppies are visiting Barker Library :-D</p>
<p>William and Mary has done this for a long time (at least since I started there in 04)</p>
<p>Columbia brought dogs in for a study break this weekend. (: Definitely a great program to start!</p>
<p>Puppies at the MIT’s Barker Library: </p>
<p>[Woof</a>! Puppies to invade campus - The Tech](<a href=“http://tech.mit.edu/V131/N59/puppies.html]Woof”>http://tech.mit.edu/V131/N59/puppies.html)</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>NYU does this too. My D has come home today and she just shared this interesting bit with us. Cookies and Puppies in the Study Lounge.</p>