Event helps students reduce stress as semester nears end
With final exams coming up, the Counseling Center found a way to alleviate some of the stress in the lives of DMC students.
The Go Team Therapy dogs of Corpus Christi provided qualified therapy dogs free of charge for students and staff at Heritage Campus on April 20, as well as the previous day at Windward Campus.
The event offered free anxiety screenings and various relaxation strategies such as aromatherapy, offering students Playdough smothered in any choice of essential oils.
Pet Therapy at DMC first started in 2016 and has continued to take place toward the end of the semester every fall and spring.
Ciara Morin, a psychology major, first heard of this event in 2022.
“I have been waiting all week for this event,” Morin said. “I didn’t attend last year because I had to work.”
Many students found this event alluring with the offering of petting dogs.
DMC Child Development major Olivia Guerrero called the event “a boost of positive serotonin.”
Each dog was encouraged to make their rounds around the room, spending intimate one-on-one time with each student with a quick pet, a wet kiss and onto the next student.
According to J.L. Pippin, Go Team Therapy coordinator, each dog goes through intensive sessions from the basics of sitting to handling stressful situations.
Go Team Therapy members are encouraged to sign up their dogs to attend.
“Each therapy dog needs to be recertified each year and participate in annual training,” said Jessica Edwards, director of the Counseling Center at Heritage Campus.
Dogs at this semester’s therapy session included Molly, a Pyrenees/St. Bernard mix; Fancy, a Goldendoodle; and Waylon, an English Springer Spaniel.
The next pet therapy event is expected to be announced in the fall semester, typically in November.
The Counseling Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays. For more information contact 361-698-1586.
Services are free and confidential and available to all students.
