UWGB students use dogs to escape exams

GREEN BAY - For one afternoon, pencils are being put down and paws are all around at the UW-Green Bay's Cofrin Library.

“My finals just ended actually on Tuesday, so this is kind of a destresser for me,” said Dylan Dobson, a junior.

The dog day at the library started last year. Librarian Anne Kasuboski came up with the idea as a stress reliever for students studying for finals.

“It's not only good mentally, but it has physiological benefits as well, lowering people's blood pressure and stuff like that,” said Kasuboski.

Kasuboski has two shelties, Nikki and Katie. Along with the other dozen or so dogs here, they are a part of the Packerland Kennel Club.

“A lot of these dogs go to hospitals and nursing homes to visit patients,” said Kasuboski.

“They are just so nice and not judgmental and these ones especially are all really friendly,” said Dobson.

While the dogs are supposed to help amid the exam stress, they passed a test of their own to reach therapy dog status.

“They have to show that they are not afraid around strangers, that they don't get scared of loud noise,” said Kasuboski.

“It's like being at home actually,” said Jessy Jozwiak, a senior. “I have three dogs at home and they'll come over and bug me while I'm doing my homework, which isn't bad.”

And as long as they don't eat the homework, the dogs will be welcomed back to campus for years to come.