How Dogs Help College Students Prepare for Exams

Imagine being away from your fur-baby and being stressed. The two ideas really don’t mix and most of the time for college students, there is little to no choice but to leave their pets at home. I commute from my home to college, so my cats cuddle up with me as I read or study for my exams, but many of my friends who live on campus can’t snuggle and study with their fur-baby. Many of them only see their pets when they go home for break and rarely get the opportunity to kick back with a book and their best study buddy.

Finals week for many college students is approaching fast or is already here. The stress of being away from home, studying late into the night, and wanting to get the best grade possible can be anxiety inducing for many students. At my University, to help their students deal with the stress of being away from their furry-friends, we have therapy dogs or dogs from shelters come in to help calm down students before midterms and finals. These events usually happen in our library and anyone is welcome to come talk to, pet, and de-stress with the dogs during various times in the weeks leading up to big tests.

Our counseling center also has a resident pup who helps students with anxiety. Many colleges have some sort of program or events where pets are invited to visit students and help take their mind off some of their worries.

I interviewed some of my friends who live on campus and they told me about their experiences with the events that my University holds during exam weeks.

One of my close friends who lives on campus and had to leave her dog behind told me that the dogs are a “God send” and “help her manage her anxiety better.” She told me that the idea of having therapy dogs come to the library helps her focus more. She told me that during her time in school, she has taken up every opportunity to see the therapy dogs when they come. “They help me so much and they don’t even know.”

Another one of my friends, who lives in an apartment on campus with a therapy cat, told me that it also helps her. She would go to the library and then take a break to pet the dogs. “It lowered my stress levels when I would get especially stressed or upset about something I couldn’t understand when studying.”

Personally, even though I have my cats WeWe, Hank, and Pixie at home, when I am on campus it is a great relief and treat to know that I can stop by the library and get to know some pups that are in the process of being adopted or are registered therapy dogs in the community.

This helped me when my dog Tuko passed away after his long battle with cancer. Tuko passed a couple of weeks before finals and he was my go to guy when I needed a hug. When I was upset about a test or frustrated when writing a paper, I would call Tuko, and he would come sit by me while I figured things out. Tuko was my rock, cheerleader, and therapist throughout my freshman and sophomore years of college. I would go home in between especially hard classes and he was always there to give me kisses and lend a listening ear.

I was hesitant to go because I was still very upset about his passing, but my friend eventually talked me into going to see the dogs. When I got to the library there were little dogs and big dogs and all of them were being pet and talked to by college students. This reminded me of being at home and talking to Tuko about a class I was frustrated about or something bad that had happened that day. I remember a big, golden retriever named Buddy was sitting by his owner tail wagging with a big doggy grin on his face, and I knew I’d be okay. I walked up and asked his owner if I could pet him and eventually we were sitting side by side like old pals while I felt all of my stress melt away.

Having a study-buddy, even if it is temporary, can help a college student when they are stressed. The simple act of petting a pup can turn your whole day, or finals week, around for the better. I know for my friends and I, it made a world of difference.

Have you heard of any programs like this? Leave a comment and let us know!