As the Spring semester winds down, stress is high on campus, and while some students cram for finals, others prepare for graduation. The University of Central Florida’s Transfer Center hosted an event on April 23 for students feeling the weight of the final push, “Paws for a Break.”
Sponsored by the UCF Parent and Family Fund Grant, the event was held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and offered time with certified therapy dogs.
When approaching room 215, decorative signs led to the event, and upon arrival, student volunteers were waiting to greet and check students in. The free event required only a student ID.
Once past the busy sign-in tables where students gather for stickers and a snack, you’re met with office 215, where the event was held. Loud with excitement, many students, volunteers, and faculty alike gathered for a chance to pet the dogs and participate in other crafts with their peers.
According to a survey by the American Addiction Center, exams are the biggest stressor among respondents, with more than 89% of respondents saying they felt stress from exams, and nearly 74% saying studying brought them stress.
“Events like ‘Paws for a Break’ are important for students as they provide a fun, unique, and cozy outlet to decompress during this busy season of finals,” UCF Graduate Assistant Fabinne Azemar said. “Events like this are just a great way to foster a sense of community and connections.”
Regardless of the commotion, the event still held a relaxing presence. From the therapy dogs calmly lounging around you to the kindness you’re met with by every volunteer or “coach” you see, the community was at the core of this event.
“It seems as if the whole building came to the office for the event—students, faculty, and staff joined us,” UCF Transfer Center Graduate Assistant Sydney Gillis said.
It is estimated that one-in-three students meet criteria for a clinically significant mental health problem, so it is no surprise that universities have begun making mental health services more prevalent around campus. On a campus as big as UCF, students come from all backgrounds and struggle in a variety of ways, but events like “Paws for a Break” allow anyone to come and seek emotional relief, no matter where the stress stems from.
“In the past, we’ve heard students say they miss their pets from home, so this is an opportunity for those students to get a piece of love that they are missing,” Gillis said. “We hope that this time and the space can help students get some extra support and encouragement during finals week.”
The traffic of individuals attending was consistent until the very end of the event, with students and faculty alike seeking a quick mental break before the official week of finals. Events like these serve as a reminder that, regardless of your role on campus, finals week has some impact on everyone at the University of Central Florida.