MICHIGAN
At noon Thursday in Shaw Hall, students lined up to spend some time with a furry, wagging, and panting ball of stress relief.
The Capital Area Humane Society brought five dogs to the River Trail Neighborhood event, allowing students to spend five or 10 minutes with the dogs after giving a donation.
Hospitality business and English sophomore Michelle Daniels said she jumped at the opportunity to support the shelter, “especially since these dogs don’t have families.”
Shaw Hall assistant community director Ardella Williams said the event raised about $251 for the Capital Area Humane Society.
“A lot of people were just really excited to come down, and they left thankful that they got to hang out with the animals,” she said.
MSU alumna Lindsay Sandusky, the humane educator for the animal shelter, said the event was beneficial for the students, the animals and the shelter.
“It’s an opportunity for us to do a little bit of fundraising and give back to these animals (and) it’s really just a chance (for students) to unravel, relax, do something warm and fuzzy,” Sandusky said.
Sandusky said interaction with a dog can mimic the experiences students have at home.
There’s a plethora of research that demonstrates human interaction with animals, not just dogs, can reduce stress and anxiety.
