Therapy dog helps UWSP students relieve stress during finals week
By Joe Bachman
Editor
STEVENS POINT — For this traditionally stressful finals week, a dog is a student’s best friend.
As finals week looms over thousands of UWSP students, so do heightened levels of stress. Fortunately, with the help of UW-Stevens Point Sergeant Trina James, students can take a much needed break from studying to indulge in the unconditional love a dog can offer.
Tucker is a specially trained labradoodle for reducing stress in individuals. Therapy dogs can help comfort those with mental health issues to sexual assault survivors, and more. In great need of support during this week in particular are UWSP students in finals week.
(Joe Bachman Photo)
“He’s just there for emotional support,” said James. “When people come to pet him and play with him, you can see people’s eyes light up. It’s the best part of my day.”
Tucker is only 7-months-old, and jumps right into action upon greeting students, playing and opening himself up for petting. However, James hopes Tucker can be used to build a better relationship between students and campus police, as well as de-stress them.
“For me, the interaction I now have with students because of him, I wouldn’t have before,” said James. “If he makes it easy for students to come up and talk to police and breaks that barrier, then this is a great program.
University Sgt. Trina James (left) with students and Tucker. (Joe Bachman Photo)
I get to talk to students I wouldn’t normally, and then I get to connect with them in hopes that if they do have a problem they can come to me.” James said.
Tucker was brought to the lobby of Baldwin Hall between 2PM and 3PM so students can take part in some much needed stress relief. Tucker will make his way through residence halls tomorrow at 6PM, as well as throughout the week.
“With finals week it’s a very stressful time for college kids; you’re moving out, you have finals, people have made friends and now they’re leaving again — we want to be able to give them a little slice of home for those who are missing their animals,” said student Dylan Carlson, who helped organize the meet. “Why not have a therapy dog that’s on hand that they can give all of their love to and who loves them right back?”
Commencement for UW-Stevens Point students will be held on Saturday, May 18.
