Nearly 100 Columbia students gathered at the Conaway Center to spend time with therapy dogs, make crafts and talk about mental health during “De-stress With Dogs,” an event aimed at helping students relax ahead of midterms.
Student Programming Board President Antonia Butka, a senior film and television major, said SPB and the Student Organization Council have been planning this event since the fall. SPB and SOC partnered with non-profit organization Alliance of Therapy Dogs to bring this event to life.
“We know everyone loves dogs, and we wanted to build more off of that,” Butka said.
The event encouraged students to talk about their mental health through Kahoot trivia and craft stations where they made stress balls, junk journals and coloring pages.
“There is so much going on in the world on so many different levels, so we just wanted to give space for students to try and leave those things at the door,” said Butka.
SPB member Adrianna Gutierrez, who monitored the junk journaling activity at the event, said she feels like she has been “in a rut.”
“I get up and go to class, and I hear about things going on in the world, and I still have to go home and I still have to cook everyday,” said Gutierrez, a first-year photography major.
Gutierrez said events like this are helpful, especially for students who do not have the materials for this type of self care at home.
“If I’m upset, I can make a journal or color a page. It’s a space where I don’t really have to think about anything, and just feel good,” Gutierrez said.
Attendees said they came to the event for a break from the stress of the semester.
Justin Cruz, a sophomore fashion studies major, said that he feels like the semester is going by quickly.
“The semester has been chill, the only thing that’s crazy is that midterms are coming up,” Cruz said.
Cruz attended the event because his girlfriend suggested it to him.
“It’s a nice way to get out of the dorm, especially since it’s close,” he said.
Cruz expressed that his favorite part of the event was the food that was provided.
“We all love free food,” he said.
Ariana Dennis, a junior acting major, attended the event with her roommate.
“My roommate suggested this because she saw dogs and we just had to see it,” Dennis said.
Dennis believes that while events like these are aimed to relieve stress, they can actually add a bit of stress for students who don’t want to miss out.
“Sometimes I feel like these events can put more stress on a student because you have to figure out how to fit it into your schedule, but it’s better once you get there,” Dennis said.
Ahmed Ankolkar, a sophomore acting for stage and screen major, said that his semester has been “awful so far,” but the event provided relief.
“The event is very lighthearted, and being with animals in general is so nice to relieve stress,” he said.
Copy edited by Matt Brady
