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Do you need a way to calm your mind?

5/3/2015

7 Comments

 
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So many people work in occupations that raise their stress levels. But what can they do? The job has to be done. Too bad if they find it hard to sleep or they snap at their partner when they get home. For some youngsters, taking tests at school breaks them into a life of mental strain.

The great illustrator of “Peanuts” fame, Charles Schultz, once said, “Happiness is a warm puppy.”

On May 7 at the UK University of Central Lancashire, students stressed out by impending exams will get a break from revision by having a cuddle with a puppy in a dedicated room.

The Guide Dogs charity will be providing puppies for the fully booked one-day event. Of course, the little pooches will get regular breaks throughout the three hours and will be with handlers at all times. A Facebook statement on their event page said: "The charity have worked previously with Lancaster Students' Union and these opportunities give the puppies a chance to get used to being around people, which is great for their development and training to be a successful guide dog."

After a bit of research on Google, I found similar events had been conducted in the USA over the last few years. Also, there were many puppy training schools available. Each site says puppy training techniques are ideal during the most critical development in a puppy's life, between the ages of 10 & 20 weeks, when most of the young dog's learning occurs.

In 2012, A Canadian university tried the new tactic to help relieve students from exam-time stress.

Dalhousie University filled a room on campus with puppies for students to visit and play with the animals between exams. The dogs were provided by Therapeutic Paws of Canada, a non-profit organization that trains animals to help people with therapeutic or practical needs. Other schools have had similar pet visits.

In 2014, school leaders at USA Park University enlisted the aid of pet therapy to soothe students.

The end of the school year represents the beginning of finals week for students. At the McAfee Memorial Library on campus, library leaders used pet therapy sessions to help students blow off some steam during this stressful time. 

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Medical research shows interaction with animals releases the powerful hormone oxytocin (Greek, "quick birth"), a hormone that makes people feel happy. When we hug or kiss a loved one, oxytocin levels increase. It also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. In fact, the hormone plays a huge role in pair bonding.

When I look into the eyes of a puppy, even captured in a photo, my heart melts. Add the softness of the animal's coat, and their cute antics to that sensation and I'm sure all stress would melt away.

I've lived with many dogs over the span of my life—Labrador, spaniel, sheep dog, Alsatian, mutt, beagle, basset-hound and greyhound. Only the basset-hound came to us as a puppy. We gave him every care and attention according to the breeder's instructions. Oh, those soft floppy ears. As an adult dog, Bradley traveled around Australia with our family in a huge caravan in the 70s. He'd sit on one of the facing bench seats in the back of the Land Rover along with the three children, taking in the sights and dribbling with doggy anticipation of romping through the long grass outside.

Can you think of a better way to calm your mind than holding a puppy? I'm sure you have a story to share about a dog.


7 Comments
Ajay Pai link
5/2/2015 08:15:51 pm

Oh! Stress levels?U ask me. I work for an industry which zaps the energy levels and contributes for high-level stress. Unfortunately, I don't have a pet at home. However, I have my son and the blogging to de-stress.

Thanks for bringing up this topic Francene. Hope everyone similar to my situation realizes the need for rejuvenating and de-stressing.

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Mina Joshi link
5/2/2015 08:52:37 pm

I am not found of dogs so do not have personal experience. I do know that there is lots of research on how animals have helped people recover. Some autistic children have benefited by being with horses.

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Corinne Rodrigues link
5/2/2015 09:06:36 pm

Nothing better, Francene! I've gone more dog crazy in my old age! We have a boxer (like the puppy in your picture) and there's no better creature than him to keep us destressed! :)

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Amy link
5/2/2015 09:46:39 pm

Francene, nothing better than a dog for getting us our of ourselves! We have two dogs, an aging Aussie with a very strong will, and a big ole goof of a black Lab. We love them both!

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Laurel Regan link
5/3/2015 02:25:39 am

I love the idea! I have at least one friend who's part of a group whose members bring their dogs to universities around exam time to help the students de-stress. Wonderful plan!

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bellybytes link
5/4/2015 06:56:12 pm

A dog is truly a man's best friend

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Alana link
5/5/2015 08:26:12 am

Warm puppies, warm kittens, for sure animals have enriched our lives (and, I hope, vice-versa) for thousands of years. I shared this one with my Facebook friend - many of whom are dog lovers.

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    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

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