A student takes time in between exams to pet one of the dogs.Students who felt stressed during spring final exams had the opportunity to walk with a companion鈥揳n affectionate rescue dog. 鈥淧ets for Vets,鈥� an outreach event to support veterans, was open to everyone on campus.
Pet Rescue by Judy, a no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the rescuing, rehabilitating, re-socializing and re-homing of adoptable companion animals provided 20 dogs to students to walk, pet and interact with. Studies show that, when interacting with an animal, it lowers one鈥檚 blood pressure and helps that person to relax. It can also help increase socialization and provide companionship.
Veteran Chris O鈥機onnor and his dog Lucas are inspiring examples of how 鈥渕an鈥檚 best friend鈥� can provide a sense of purpose, healing, routine, socialization and companionship for a combat veteran adjusting to student life after being in the military. O鈥機onnor鈥檚 adjustment to civilian life was challenging due to his PTSD symptoms, shrapnel wounds and traumatic brain injury after being in combat in Iraq. Back in the states, he had no plan. That is when he decided to get a companion, Lucas鈭抋n AKC Star Puppy AKC Canine Good Citizen provided by the Patriot Rovers. Around the dog鈥檚 neck are the identification tags of a soldier Corporal Kevin 鈥淎dam鈥� Lucas who died May 26, 2006 in Iraq. O鈥機onnor says that his dog 鈥渃hanged his life.鈥� He now has a companion that enables him to socialize, go out in public without fear and gives him reason to get up in the morning. He is now successfully finishing his degree in social work and also works as a veteran peer mentor helping other veterans adjust to college life.
Pets for Vets was an event designed to promote the use of animals to de-stress students鈥� lives, highlight the resources available to them, help veterans adjust to college and civilian life, and promote the adoption of rescued animals from the shelter. Animal assisted therapy, an alternative approach to standard therapy and counseling, is designed to help improve the physical, emotional, social and cognitive functioning in people.
The interactive activity is sponsored by the 麻豆原创 Veterans Academic Resource Center, 麻豆原创 Counseling Center and Burnett Honors College Honors Educational Reach Out. Also participating in the event will be the 麻豆原创 Anxiety Disorders Clinic, 麻豆原创 Marriage and Family Institute, Canine Companions for Independence, Camaraderie Foundation, Orlando Mobile Vet Center, Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Southland Dog Training and the Student Veteran Association.