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KEENE, N.H. (AP) — While many colleges bring puppies to campus to help students de-stress during finals, Keene State College is taking a different approach by using therapy dogs to help freshmen make the transition to college.
Every Thursday night through the fall semester, community volunteers bring dogs to various residence halls, where they interact with students, faculty members and staff.
Brian Quigley, director of the college's counseling center, says the first eight weeks of school are "make it or break it" time for freshmen as they adjust to college life. Close to 350 students attended the "Paws 2 Play" sessions in the first three weeks. The program also gives students a chance to meet faculty and staff in an informal setting.
"It's a big success on many levels — addressing the anxieties of first-year students as they adjust to college life, and offering collaboration and participation among people from different departments here," he said.
The program's partners include Monadnock therapy Pets and the local Humane Society. Julia Skoolicas, a freshman from Nashua, said she has enjoyed the program.
"I have a dog at home that I really miss," she said. "I've been having some problems adjusting to college, so it's really nice to see the dogs. It's really relaxing."
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