The library’s furry friends were back In November to provide some comfort during exam time!

University of Pretoria staff members and students were yet again invited to come and pet away their exam stress by interacting with the therapy dogs of the largest dog therapy organisation in Gauteng, TOP Dogs, during 4 to 8 November 2019.  This time however, the interactions took place on three campuses: Hatfield Campus on Monday 4, Wednesday 6 and Friday 8 November 2019, Groenkloof campus on Tuesday 5 November and Prinshof campus on Thursday 7 November 2019.

The library knows that things can get RUFF for our students during exam time. Research indicates that human-animal interaction has a relaxation and stress-reduction effect on people, even after as little as five minutes of interaction with a therapy dog, hence this initiative! So everyone on these campuses were invited to come and experience first-hand how man’s best friend can lower stress levels and enhance moods. ­

These therapy dogs sessions were extremely popular with staff and students alike. The VC, Prof Tawana Kupe and the Library Director Mr Robert Moropa both took time from their busy schedules to come and pat the dogs. The Marketing Committee also encouraged participants to complete a short survey, sharing whether these sessions reduced their stress levels. 348 responses were received with 96.8% indicating that interacting has reduced their stress levels, 87,4% reporting that interacting with dogs improved their emotional well-being and 92.8% sharing that they were likely to recommend a session like this to their friends.

Final messages to the organizers included:

• “Thank you for the session. Really helped get my mind off my stressful exams. I am actually more energized and more open to studying”
• “This made my day. It definitely reduces stress and gives us something to be excited about.”
• “What a treat to interact with these stunning animals.”
• “This is a fantastic initiative. Great way to relax and get our minds off stress. Absolutely loved. Please visit us again and more often.”
• “This was extremely unexpected and thoughtful of you guys for going the extra mile to help your students succeed by reducing exam stress levels. Thank you, I am sure I don't speak for myself when I say this. God bless.”
• “Thank you for returning to the university and please make this a regular opportunity for students! It is a great way to take a breather away from exams and have a fun and relaxing time with dogs.”
• “Was really nice to take a destress break with the dogs and interact with the owners. Please do it again.”
• “Thank you for taking the time to make this exam season better and less stress full. It’s amazing.”
• Thank you for supporting the students like this! please do it again
• “I think it is great initiative as it breaks the monotony of the exam period and studying on campus.”
• “You are doing an amazing job, such a beautiful cause. We truly need more of these sessions.”

Prinshof album: http://bit.ly/2RBfjjB

Groenkloof album: http://bit.ly/36c5vla

Hatfield album: http://bit.ly/2Gc0Q8d