At Haverford College, stressed students plus dogs equals happy

HAVERFORD Students at Haverford College brought dogs to campus Wednesday to cheer up their classmates who are muddling through final exams.

The study break, called "De-stress With Dogs," was hosted by the college's pre-veterinary society and a student group focused on mental health.

"It's great to see students walk in very stressed from their finals, and they leave with these big smiles on their faces," said Sophie Eiger, a senior biology major who helped organize the event.

Eight dogs entertained about 200 students during the two-hour event. Jonah Binstock, a senior who helped start the once-a-semester event last fall, said the playtime benefits the canine participants as well.

The dogs that come to Haverford are either waiting to be adopted or recently adopted from Main Line Animal Rescue. "These dogs come from a place where they need to be socialized and introduced to people more," Binstock said.

He said the combination of shy dogs and study-crazed college students makes sense: "Why not bring dogs on campus? Everyone's happier when animals are around." - Julie Zauzmer