With Christmas only days away and finals week upon us, the Student Leadership Council has brought back stress-relief puppies. As part of the 12 days of Christmas SLC events, students can pause and play with some cute dogs between 11:35 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 16.
The Idea
For many, the fall semester of 2019 has been a roller coaster ride. With a longer Thanksgiving break but no days of rest in between, students reached burnout quickly. As midterms week approached, the SLC searched for ways to encourage the student body.
SLC event coordinator Sarah Shelburne decided to brainstorm. She thought, “OK, we can’t have a day of rest and midterms are here. What is happy? What is joyful? What is calming?” In the blink of an eye, the idea came to her: “Puppies!”
The Execution
A week before midterms, Shelburne proposed the idea to Dr. Matthew Weathers, director of the Center for Leadership Development. Despite the short notice, he agreed immediately and made some calls. Weathers and his wife Fleur work in correspondence and social media for Crockett Doodles, a Greenville doodle breeding company owned by BJU professor Dr. Nathan Crockett.
“Crockett was happy for Crockett Doodles to come on campus for students to interact with them and help relieve their stress during final exams,” said Mr. Weathers. In addition to making an appearance during midterms, Crockett Doodle puppies will also be on campus for students to cuddle during finals.
See Also: Crockett Doodles: Making Families Whole Four Paws at a Time
The Motivation
Physical and mental exhaustion is common among college students. Having to work, study and deliver multiple projects for 15 weeks, it can be hard to take breaks without feeling guilty. Shelburne has felt the same way herself. “But the reality is you’re actually showing submission to God when you take time to rest,” she said.
Weathers believes the interaction will be a blessing to the students. “I know it does help them to get their minds off final exams,” he said. Shelburne invites the student body to “take 15 minutes, de-stress, cuddle a puppy or two or three or all of them.”
