Bow Valley College students studying for their upcoming exams are being given a chance to cuddle with puppies as a way to relieve stress.
The college’s students’ association has teamed up with the Pacific Assistance Dog Society (PADS) to bring a pack of four-legged friends to the facility on Tuesday and Wednesday.
A Tuesday news release said the partnership allows tense students to be comforted by the dogs, while learning more about the PADS program from local trainers.
“The puppies are training in the PADS program so that they can become guide dogs for persons with a physical disability, or who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.”
Event organizers said the interaction teaches the dogs to focus on their handler’s instructions while in large crowds.
“This is the fourth time we’ve hosted the PADS puppies on campus, and we know it’s made such a difference to both learners and the dogs,” student’s association general manager Jay Decore said.
“Our learners love the interactions with the puppies because it really helps them to relax before exams. It’s also a lot of fun. And the puppies really seem to benefit from all the learners.”