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EKU Officials Offering a New Way to De-Stress for Students

Posted: 3:54 AM Apr 25, 2012
Reporter: AP

RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) -- Eastern Kentucky University officials realize final exams cause stress for students and are offering them a different way to relax.

The university Counseling Center is sponsoring three sessions with trained therapy dogs on Wednesday. The university says studies have shown that a few minutes of stroking a pet dog decreases cortisol, the stress hormone in both the human and the dog, reduces blood pressure and induces relaxation.

The center also plans to provide tips on strategies to help students address their test anxiety.

The Kentucky non-profit group providing the dogs and handlers, Pawsibilities Unleashed: Pet Therapy of Kentucky, is run by volunteers with professional trainers who assess dogs for entrance into the program. The dogs visit hospitals, nursing homes and other locations.

For more information, visit http://www.counseling.eku.edu/students/pawsibilities .