December 9, 2022

Unleashing Stress Relief for Finals Week

As semester comes to an end, therapy dogs warm hearts and melt away end-of-the-semester worries

Three female students pet a German shepherd. — Val Mejia ’21, a graduate coordinator with the Office of Health Promotion, center, smiles as she pets a therapy dog, a special event to help students de-stress before finals.

Janee Murray-Wegman and Deovionn Gaynor were feeling the familiar stress that comes with final exams. Plus, with performances and pre-show jitters unique to these junior Dance majors, they knew they needed a place to chill. They found what they were looking for in the warm snuggles of therapy dogs brought to campus for students to cuddle.

“No one really understands what it is to be a dancer and a college student, but the dogs really help,” Murray-Wegman says, smiling and soothed after spending time with the furry friends invited to play by the University’s Office of Health Promotion.

The visit by therapy dogs on December 7 is just one of the many ways Montclair State University is building a culture of wellness into campus life. At the end of each semester, events on nutrition and sleep as well as relaxation rooms help students cope with the stress of final exams. Throughout December, events include aromatherapy, yoga with crystals, meditation and pottery. And of course, the healing powers of doggy belly rubs and ear scratches.

Studies show spending time with therapy dogs lowers stress levels, and for about 200 students who took time away from their studies for some self-care, the therapeutic session with the canines of Creature Comfort and their volunteer handlers “pawsitively” boosted students’ moods.

“Dogs really can sense the anxiety people are feeling,” says Alexandra Whaley, the volunteer handler of two-year-old Amber as students rubbed the golden retriever’s soft ears. “Being able to have someone essentially take that away from you is so important, especially around stressful times.”

The event is a “pet project” of the Office of Health Promotion, and Assistant Director Marie Cascarano and her student assistants were on hand to direct the long line of students waiting inside the Student Recreation Center gymnasium to take their turns to snuggle.

“I’m happy to be part of an organization where we can make students feel safe, take care of themselves, breathe and relax, and try something new,” says Val Mejia ’21, a graduate coordinator.

“When you’re overwhelmed with assignments and studying and finals, your mind might get a little foggy or clouded,” adds Mejia, who is working toward a Master of Public Health. “Something so simple as petting a dog is a reminder that things are okay, that we can have fun, we can be friendly and give ourselves a little distraction.”

Photo Gallery

A golden retriever licks a male student’s face. — Licks of love by two-year-old Amber, a golden retriever, boosts students’ moods.

Therapy dogs bring cheer, even on end-of-semester “ruff days.”

Studies show spending time with therapy dogs lowers stress levels.

Four women greet a large black dog — Students greet Niles, an 80-pound lab/golden mix, during the therapeutic session for finals week.

Camera ready and “picture paw-fect,” Katy, a 70-pound German shepherd, poses for students.

A German shepherd wearing a scarf looks at the camera while being petted by students. — The therapy dog Katy mugs for the camera.

Story by Staff Writer Marilyn Joyce Lehren. Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters.

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