The counseling services office at York College recently turned to a some furry friends to help students relieve the stress of the semester’s end.

Therapy dogs provided a break for students cramming for finals. (Submitted photo)

The college’s student affairs wellness committee sponsors a “wellness week” at the end of each semester, said Karen Jones, director of counseling services.

Her office typically sponsors an event called “Go Out and Play,” which encourages students to make a balanced plan for finals week, including time for studying, eating, sleeping and some breaks for stress reduction and relaxation, she said in an email. The office gives out bookmarks with relaxation ideas, Frisbees and freeze pops.

This year, the office added therapy dogs.

“We knew for those who appreciate animals, the dogs may provide a nice break from the academic rigors students need to participate in at the end of a semester,” Jones said. “We thought that for some students, the presence of the dogs may trigger fond memories and therefore bring about a positive state of being, and/or allow students to reconnect with some positive emotions.”

The dogs were brought in by Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services. York College isn’t the only one to try pups as a stress reliever. Several other colleges have tried bringing in dogs around finals time, too.

How did you relieve stress before finals?