Keep calm and play with a puppy

If you like animals and are lucky enough to not have allergies, spending time with a dog is a proven way to de-stress.

Service dogs are typically paired with people with physical or mental disabilities to improve their quality of life, but this isn’t the only situation where the power of a pet to help you relax is helpful.

An article published by the Clinical Social Work Journal in March sought to discover the potential social benefits of spending time with a pet.

“There is now convincing scientific evidence that companion animals have positive effects on psychological and physical well-being, helping shape how people regulate their emotions, deal with stress or trauma, and relate to others.”

In light of this evidence, the authors recommended all social workers be educated about how pets can help their clients.

Universities are even using playful pups to help anxiety-burdened students take a breather.

Last December, Dalhousie University in Halifax created a puppy room for its students to help them cope with papers and finals, as previously reported in The Reflector.

Dal’ isn’t the only university utilizing puppies to help their students. The University of Ottawa has brought in puppies for students to play with, too.

“Just petting a dog will decrease your blood pressure and relieve anxiety. You can be affectionate with them and they’ll be affectionate back. They love attention,” University of Ottawa student Audrey Giles told the Toronto Star.

Maybe it’s time for Mount Royal to consider providing pup- py therapy — The Reflector certainly thinks so.