Hug a Dog – Pass Your Finals at Cal

A small troupe of “pet therapy dogs” visited the UC Berkeley campus Tuesday to provide comfort for students stressed by the pressure of final exams.

“The dogs give instant stress relief,” according to Kim LaPean, communications manager at University Health Services, which organizes the campus “Pet Hugs” program.

“Many students miss their pets, and can’t have pets in the residence halls, so this is a nice way for them to get that love during a stressful time in the academic year,” said LaPean, who was quoted in a campus news release.

The canine companions, from Tony La Russa’s non-profit Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), are no strangers to campus. They were so popular in the past during finals week and special events that they are now a feature on Sproul Plaza during the lunch hour on the first Tuesday of every month.

The six dogs visiting for the finals study period on Tuesday were outside Moffitt Library from noon to 1 p.m.

The dog visitors have won the hearts of many students on campus, where a special Pet Hugs web page has been established with links to oodles of photos in Facebook albums.