After making it through 10 weeks of classes, Ohio University students are faced with the stress of finals week. To help alleviate some of the pressure, Playtime with Puppies gives students the chance to forget about their work and frolic with some furry friends.
“The main reason that we do the Playtime with Puppies is it’s just like a de-stresser for the students,” said Lizzie Rosegrant, an East Green resident assistant in charge of the event. “Since everyone loves playing with puppies, it’s also a great time to have some social green time. People are able to come out and talk with other people that they probably see everyday on East Green and around campus but they don’t get to talk to them because it’s awkward to talk to people you don’t know; puppies are a good ice breaker for talking to people.”
Giving students the chance to connect with an animal is a beneficial experience, said Max Bishop, the Athens County Assistant Dog Warden.
“A lot of kids who go to OU have dogs back home, and they live in the dorms and they’re not allowed to have dogs,” Bishop said. “Anytime you bond with an animal or play with an animal or pet an animal it’s therapeutic, calming. … It’s relaxing to take a break from your studies, your worries, your cares. To take five or 10 minutes out of your day to pet a dog can make all the difference.”
The event brings dogs and puppies that are available for adoption at the Athens County Dog Shelter to OU. The event is usually held during finals week, but this year another Playtime with Puppies session will also be offered in the middle of Spring Quarter.
“Another thing that we do is collect donations for the dog shelter,” Rosegrant said. “We’ve done the program seven times and in those seven times we’ve raised over $1,000 to donate. It’s really nice now that the program is gaining more and more popularity; each quarter we’re raising more money and we’re able to buy supplies for the dog shelter.”
The donations collected at the event goes to whatever the dog shelter needs at the time, like purchasing cleaning supplies or dog food and contributing to a fund for injured dogs.
“You’ve got college students interacting with the animals and you’ve got them promoting the right things to do with animals. It’s all about education and responsibilities,” said Jeff Koons, the Athens County Dog Warden. “All the money they collect, they (use to) purchase the things and bring it here to us. I’m glad they can be a part of it and I’m glad they’re supporting us.”
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If You Go
What: Playtime with Puppies
When: 1-4 p.m. Monday
Where: Gamertsfelder Hall lawn on East Green
Admission: Free, but donations will be collected
