Elon University students looking to take a break from their day with a therapeutic activity can find dogs, cats and rabbits waiting from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 11 on the Moseley West Lawn.
SPARKS Peer Health Educators and Kopper Top Learning Center PAAWS Program partnered to bring the pet therapy event to life. Associate Director for Student Wellness Charlotte Williams said the goal of the event is to promote student well-being.
“Our aim is bridging that mind-body connection, looking at destressing, looking at emotional well being and knowing that students are under a lot of challenges when it comes to mental health, especially,” Williams said.
Kopper Top’s Healing PAAWS program regularly visits nursing homes throughout the Burlington and Greensboro areas. They are shifting their audience to help students destress for midterms.
“We also want to promote the community and social aspects,” Williams said. “We want students to know that they are supported, that there is an opportunity to take a break, that they don’t have to be outpacing themselves.”
Kopper Top has been a long-term Elon partner with Campus Recreation and Wellness and visits at least once each semester for pet therapy events.
In addition to the furry friends present Tuesday, the event will have opportunities for students to learn about taking care of emotional support animals they might have on campus through Kopper Top and Campus Recreation and Wellness.