Matadors Take a Finals Break With Furry Friends

  • Students pose with one of the therapy dogs brought in for students to pet during finals. Studies have shown that petting dogs can significantly drop anxiety for students during stressful times, like finals. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Even babies were getting into the Matador spirit by playing with the dogs brought in. Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • A therapy dog walks around saying hello to CSUN students studying for finals. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Students take a selfie with one of the therapy dogs. Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • A group of students huddle around one of the dogs brought in to ease anxiety during finals. Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • Mel was one of the therapy dogs brought in to ease student anxiety during finals. Photo by Lee Choo.

Finals weeks is upon the close to 40,000 California State University, Northridge students who are finishing out the Spring 2015 semester. So to relieve a bit of pressure, the Delmar T. Oviatt Library put together a little stress relief in the form of therapy dogs. The library’s “Take a Study Break at the Oviatt During Finals Week,” allowed students studying for their finals a chance to share a hug with a furry, four-legged friend.

The dogs were placed in the Retrieval System Viewing Room, located on the library’s main floor, and there are a number of activities planned for all those involved. Besides the dogs there were arts and crafts, and board game sessions to give minds a few minutes off from their studying. Weary students who were just too tired to play with pooches could get a free pillow on which to rest their heads from Library Guest Services.

According to CNN, “Scientific studies do show that canine interaction increases a human’s level of oxytocin, a hormone that reduces anxiety and blood pressure. Petting a dog or caring for a pet helps people become less frightened, more secure and diverts their attention away from their own fears or anxieties.

“Studies also show excessive stress, like the kind students may experience during finals, impairs memory. An activity that relieves that stress even for a moment improves a student’s ability to retain what they are trying to learn.”

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