Pups Reduce Exam Stress at the Vern

For students caving under the mountain of midterm stress, Mount Vernon Campus Life (MVCL) organized “Four-Footed Friends” on Monday, where students could interact with dogs on loan from GW faculty and staff. They also provided flyers with tips for students on test taking and how to manage stress.

“It is scientifically proven that petting animals reduces stress,” said Jennifer Solt, Associate Director of MVCL. “A student came up with the idea four years ago and it has been very successful since then.”

“I think it’s a good way to distress without doing things parents won’t approve of,” remarked Sarah Grose ’13.

More than 100 students, including students from Foggy Bottom campus, showed up behind Merriweather Hall to play with the dogs. Some played fetch with them and took pictures with the friendly canines.

“I like this a lot but I wish there were more dogs,” said Lorena Infante ’13.

There were five dogs at the event, one of which was Nigel, Dean of Freshman Fred Siegel’s dog. Although there were far fewer dogs compared to the number of students, all of the students had a chance to play with them as the energetic dogs ran and bounced among the people.

“Most people will not expect this of GW because this event is so homey, and GW is such a city-oriented school,” said Analise Rivero ’13. “Parents would be so pleased to hear about this because it’s so comforting.”

All the students interviewed agreed that the event was a good idea and that it took away some of their midterm stress.

“I am not thinking about projects right now. I am having fun with the dogs,” said Infante.

For those that missed out on this event, Solt said that there is another one planned for the spring.

“We won’t go a semester without it,” she said.