More than 700 Drexel University students took a break from studying for upcoming tests and finals to play with certified therapy dogs on Dec. 2. Studies have shown that playing with a therapy dog can reduce blood pressure and lower anxiety and depression in college students.
Pet therapy and the use of therapy dogs have been common in nursing homes and hospitals, but lately more college campuses are using therapy dogs as well. While the therapy dogs visited Drexel for the day, the University’s Recreation Center hosts an on-site therapy dog year-round.
According to Kevin Montgomery, director of operations at Drexel’s LeBow College of Business, who organizes Puppy Pawlooza, for many of the students who have dogs and aren’t from the immediate Philadelphia, the event helps connect them to home.