TULSA, OKLA (KTUL) — College can be a stressful time, especially for students balancing exams, demanding course loads and the pressures of professional programs.
At Oklahoma State University, students have another way to take a break, spending time with dogs through Pete’s Pet Posse.
Hallie Herndon, a first-year physician assistant student, says seeing the dogs around campus gives her a chance to step away from the pressure of school.
“Being able to see them before exams is so fun,” Herndon said. “And also, all of the helpers with Pete’s Pet Posse are super kind, super encouraging to all of us as students.”
OSU says the program is designed to give students a chance to relax and support their mental well-being.
Monica Collington, OSU’s assistant vice president for external affairs, says college and medical school can bring significant stress as students navigate testing, social pressures and other changes.
“The students, their reactions are so awesome,” Collington said. “They just love seeing the animals on campus.”
Pete’s Pet Posse started at OSU’s Stillwater campus in 2013 before expanding to the Tulsa campuses.
The dogs belong to OSU employees who volunteer as handlers. Both the dogs and their handlers go through training and certification before participating in the program.
Collington says the dogs also have to have the right temperament for the job.
“They have to have a certain temperament,” Collington said. “They can’t be, you know, too energetic or too fierce. They have to sort of fit the requirements.”
One of those dogs is Cookie, a seven-pound Maltese who regularly visits campus.
“She is so full of energy,” Collington said. “She loves people. She was kind of made for this job, honestly.”
Cookie visits campus about once a week, giving students an opportunity to take a break and connect with one of the program’s therapy dogs.
Herndon says Cookie and the other dogs do more than provide a distraction from school.
“Cookie and the rest of Pete’s Pet Posse is so awesome to have around,” Herndon said. “It honestly just brings joy to all of us, all of the students, and it kind of brings us together.”
For OSU students facing the pressures of college and professional programs, the program offers a simple way to pause, connect and find a little joy during a stressful day.
