Image of Two students sitting on the floor with a Labrador

Dogs help students to destress

Around 100 students took a break from exam revision yesterday to meet canine visitors to Jesus College.

The annual Easter Term event aims to help students destress by meeting guide dogs and their handlers from the local branch of Guide Dogs. For ten minutes, students pet the dogs and chat with their handlers - taking a study break to enjoy some pet therapy.  Various studies have shown that interacting with dogs can lowers stress levels, reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure. 

Event organiser Dr Tori McKee, Tutorial Manager, said: "This is my third year of running the workshop and it's always a really rewarding event for the students, handlers and dogs. It's great to be able to offer an opportunity for stress relief during the busy exam term."

Other stress busters around College include puzzles, mindfulness colouring and bubblewrap popping in the Garden Room of the Quincentenary Library. The Roost Cafe Bar has also extended its Monday opening hours past 4pm to offer an additonal study space.

A student with a dog and dog handler
Two students sitting on the floor with a Labrador
A Labrador asleep
Two students talking to a dog and dog handler
A sign for the workshop, reading: Stress relief workshop, Cricket Pavilion
Two students petting a Labrador