{"id":220862,"date":"2023-05-05T11:06:49","date_gmt":"2023-05-05T15:06:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=220862"},"modified":"2023-05-05T11:52:01","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T15:52:01","slug":"relaxing-with-furry-friends-during-final-push","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2023\/05\/05\/relaxing-with-furry-friends-during-final-push\/","title":{"rendered":"Relaxing with Furry Friends During Final Push"},"content":{"rendered":"

Students played and snuggled with therapy dogs \u2013 and the cutest bunny \u2013 during the crunch of finals \u2013 the cuddle therapy coming just in time to relieve the stress that comes at the end of every college semester.<\/p>\n

The furry friends were invited to campus to help students take care of themselves by the Office of Health Promotion<\/a>, part of the special events of \u201cEnd of Semester De-Stress Week\u201d on May 1 – May 5, with a series of relaxing and fun activities \u2013 guided meditation, lawn games, peer counselors to talk to, and the therapy pets to help students manage stress and boost their moods.<\/p>\n

Helping students feel a sense of belonging and support for their mental and physical wellness is a priority at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ. This year that has included increased programming, outreach, special events and the arrival of Pebbles, a mini chocolate labradoodle<\/a>, who will be trained as a therapy dog when she\u2019s older.<\/p>\n

“The culture of wellness within our student community at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ is of utmost importance to us,\u201d says Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life Dawn Meza Soufleris. \u201cWe know that students who feel safe, have outlets to de-stress, support services to manage their mental and physical health, and who are connected in a variety of ways to the University do far better in their academic work, the relationships they develop, and can better cope with everyday challenges they experience while here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The therapeutic session with the rabbit and canines of Creature Comfort is always a nice break during a hectic study period \u2013 and who can resist those cute faces and the healing powers of doggy belly rubs and ear scratches.<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/h2>\n
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Photos by John J. LaRosa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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