SALEM — Salem State University students made some new, four-legged friends yesterday and relieved some pre-exam stress in the process.
Northeast Animal Shelter brought four 10-week-old puppies to Marsh Hall yesterday for two hours during SSU’s reading day. Term exams begin today.
“It really did work,” said Jen Adams, volunteer coordinator at Northeast Animal Shelter. “The students sat down, relaxed and even talked to other students they didn’t know. ... The puppies worked the crowd.”
The event was organized by SSU senior Brandon Devlin, a resident adviser at Marsh Hall. He had brought a group of students to volunteer at the shelter this fall and later contacted Adams to ask if she could bring some animals to campus for stress relief on reading day.
It was such a success that Adams said she’s considering bringing animals elsewhere, such as the city’s library.
“There must have been 40 students passing dogs around and cuddling with them,” said Karen Cady, SSU spokesperson. “The smiles and laughter were just wonderful.”
Northeast Animal Shelter, on Highland Avenue, is New England’s largest no-kill animal shelter.
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