PetFolio Reader's Alert! Pup Stress Relief, this Wed May 9

University of Nevada, Reno 
Goes to the Dogs to Combat Stress

With finals week looming at the University of Nevada, Reno, students find themselves rushing with last minute studying and pulling caffeine-fueled “all-nighters” with hopes of performing well on an onslaught of tests. All this academic activity compressed into such a short time period, combined with the pressures of finals, undoubtedly causes a lot of stress for students.  Paws 4 Love, a local non-profit, therapy dog organization, will be on hand Wednesday, May 9 from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the University’s Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center to help students combat stress.

Medical studies have provided a growing body of research proving that animals have tremendous stress-reduction and healing potential. These studies have shown that simply petting an animal can lower blood pressure and heart rate, and lessen anxiety, loneliness and depression. When not at the University, Paws 4 Love therapy dogs also visit facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, psychiatric facilities, homeless and children’s shelters. Paws 4 Love’s literacy program, “Paws 2 Read” helps children develop a love of reading at Washoe County libraries and schools.

Last year’s event was a huge success with hundreds of students and staff stopping to visit with the therapy dogs. With stress being a major impediment to academic performance, Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center staff knows these dogs provide a fun environment for students where they can take a break from their studying and lessen their test anxiety.

Paws 4 Love enjoys a strong relationship with the University and is happy to provide this free service to students and staff while increasing awareness of their therapy dog program. “Our therapy dogs are a conduit for well-being in our community and our presence on campus during finals week is a great way for us to partner with the University.” said Scott Meddaugh, President of Paws 4 Love.”

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Paws 4 Love is a volunteer-based, non-profit, therapy dog organization established in 1997.
Paws 4 Love, through pet therapy, encourages literacy, volunteerism and well-being within the community. Paws 4Love's literacy program, Paws 2 Read, helps children develop a love of reading by providing dogs to read to at area libraries. For more information, visitwww.paws4lovereno.org.