On Thursday 19th April, over 250 Birmingham City University staff and students gathered to relax with some therapy dogs and find out more about the great work them and their charities do, all in aid of National Stress-Awareness month. With both staff and students feeling the pressure of deadlines around this time, these lovely canines couldn’t have been more appreciated!
Emma Benningwood
BA (Hons) Media and Communication
The event, run by a group of five second year Media and Communication students, welcomed three therapy dogs to the City Centre Campus – two dogs from Therapy Dogs Nationwide, Merryn and Lewis, and one from Pets as Therapy, Joe. Beth Morgan, one of the team members organising the event said:
“We put this event on to raise awareness of stress at university and the valuable work therapy dogs do in helping mental health”
Grace Thomas, another team member, added:
“Being students ourselves, we recognise how stressful upcoming deadlines are at this time of year. We wanted to put on an event to highlight the importance of taking a break to better your mental health.”
Throughout the event, as well as taking time out to relax with the dogs, there were many opportunities to talk to the volunteers from Therapy dogs Nationwide and Pets as Therapy, learn more about the work the dogs do, and how you can get involved yourself.
The event had continued popularity throughout the day, with over 250 people taking time out of their busy university day to ‘De-Stress with Dogs’, and an impressive amount raised, of over £175, to be donated to the therapy dog organisations involved, Therapy Dogs Nationwide and Pets as Therapy, to help continue their important work.
While the real hard-working therapy dogs were taking their break, you might’ve spotted the team’s giant pupper on a tour of the campus, continuing to raise awareness, and brighten students day when they least expected it. With thanks to the team’s sponsor, Katz Dancewear and Fancy Dress.
