Bond University’s Law Students’ Association President, Madeline Wardleworth and her fellow classmates made headlines around Australia after bringing puppies to an exam study session in an attempt to relieve stress.
Protrakstination is an event held by the LSA for stressed out students studying for their exams in campus libraries. Students were offered cheeseburgers, red bull, chocolate and lollies, and the opportunity to play with puppies on this special occasion. The 300 students who normally eat quickly and run to return to the books took time out to enjoy cuddling puppies Bronte and Arnold in an area separate to where food was served.
The idea was sparked after the LSA noticed academic literature evidencing the correlation between interacting with puppies and reduced stress levels. The LSA had also seen other student associations run the initiative successfully.
So did the puppies really help the student’s stress levels? Madeline says, ‘everyone’s approach to study and relaxation is different. In our experience, playing with and cuddling puppies can be an excellent way to take some time out, but ultimately students have a smorgasbord of stress relieving options, and it’s really each to his or her own.’
Whatever the student’s final marks are, Madeline was overwhelmed by positive feedback she received about the presence of the puppies with students wanting them to return next year in addition to suggesting new stress relieving measures, including a jumping castle.
The puppies, Arnold and Bronte, belong to the Animal Welfare League and are now up for adoption to find a permanent home.
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