Taking a “PAWS” for Finals

LSU Gymnasts Elena Arenas and Jillian Hoffman share some love and offload stress with adoptable CAA dogs at Tiger Stadium

It was a great day to be a dog…and an LSU student-athlete.

One of the wonderful benefits of being an LSU Tiger is having so many resources at our fingertips. Immediately off campus, near Alex Box Stadium, Companion Animal Alliance (CAA) is home to over 250 rescue animals. On Tuesday, December 5, the Sport Psychology and Counseling (SPC) Department collaborated with CAA to host “Paws for Finals,” a therapy dog morning at the Broussard Athletic Training facility for LSU student-athletes.

A student athlete’s schedule can be an extreme balancing act. Not only do they face the physical demands of their training, but also the emotional and mental demands of a full academic schedule. Interacting with animals shows a significant decrease in depression, anxiety, and physical pain. Therapy animals aid in stress reduction, improved emotional well-being, fostering a sense of community, and creating a positive and inviting atmosphere (Peel, et al., 2023).

By collaborating with CAA, we aimed to offer our student-athletes a place to relax during finals week, as well as create an opportunity for teams to network with CAA for future events.

References:

Peel, N., Nguyen, K., & Tannous, C. (2023). The Impact of Campus-Based Therapy Dogs on the Mood and Affect of University Students. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(6), 4759. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064759