Oftentimes, school is just one stress factor in our day-to-day life. Pressures from a variety of outside sources can quickly pile up and become overwhelming. But thankfully, the Peer Health Education team is here to help by using one of the oldest tricks in the book: dogs.
Dogs on Call, a Wisconsin-based volunteer center, has been partnered with Madison College for almost eight years, bringing trained therapy dogs to campus once every semester. All their dogs were previously pets and have gone through the necessary proceedings to be registered therapy animals.
“All our visits to Madison College have been positive,” says Todd Trampe. He’s been with Dogs on Call for over a decade, helping to coordinate visits to schools across Wisconsin. “Students do a lot of smiling, laughing. We keep getting invited back because they request us. Students enjoy the visits and I think what we provide is important enough to keep coming back.”
Though it sounds too good to be true, simply interacting with a dog has multiple medical benefits. It physically relaxes a person, lowers blood pressure and can serve as a distraction from any stress factors clouding your thoughts.
“The dogs really do make a difference,” says Laure Ramde, a student at Madison College. “With all the pressure of school and all that other stuff happening in the world right now, we can have a moment to feel so much happier.”
“But we have to recognize how that sometimes isn’t enough,” adds Julieta Molina Andres, a friend of Ramde and fellow student. “The event focuses on relaxation and mental health, but a dog isn’t going to fix all your problems. I think it puts them into perspective.”
Dogs on Call will be visiting Madison College Traux campus on November 19 and will be stationed just outside of Student Life. From 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. students are encouraged to come see them and take a break from school.
While there, you can also pick up information about the counseling services offered on campus and fix an appointment with which is the best fit for them.
Help yourself become as healthy as possible and remember that your mental health is just as important as your physical health.