Paws for Coffee, an event that combines coffee, snacks and therapy dogs as an antidote to end-of-semester stress, is scheduled for two days in the library lobby later this month.
The event typically features a visit by at least four of the anxiety-reducing dogs who are accustomed to being petted by strangers. The event in the James & Abigail Campbell Library lobby typically has been scheduled for a single day, but this semester is being expanded to two days, April 23 and 24. The dogs, coffee and snacks will be available from 10 a.m. to noon each day.
Studies have shown therapy dogs can reduce stress and anxiety at schools, as well as help increase attendance and improve student learning and motivation, according to the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, which is helping arrange the UH West Oʻahu event. A few years ago the Yale Law Library made headlines by starting a therapy-dog program under which students could check out Monty, a therapy dog, and play with him in a designated room.