By Mary Beth Coniglio
It was another fantastic “pancake breakfast” event at Syracuse University this year. PAWS of CNY has had the pleasure of attending the late night study break and de-stress event for SU students for the past five years and each year bring smiles and tail wags.
PAWS of CNY volunteers who attended this year’s event included Karen Laskowski and her Golden Retriever Piper, Sue Stepien and her Bernese Mountain Dog Stella, Joanne Shibley and her pug Quincy, Peggy Byrne and her Golden Retriever Ellie, and Kevin Campbell and his Leonberger Chase. The PAWS of CNY volunteers had the opportunity to visit with about 200 college students, all of whom were extremely excited to de-stress with PAWS of CNY’s therapy dogs. The students couldn’t wait to sit, pet, and take pictures with the dogs. Some of the students were repeat visitors from other events on campus who remembered the dogs and wanted another chance to receive pet therapy services.
PAWS of CNY’s volunteers heard from the students over and over “thanks so much, this really does relieve our stress even just for a few minutes!” The students commented how playing with the dogs made them fell better. One volunteer commented that when the PAWS of CNY volunteer teams left the event it was like the paparazzi was after them! Students were coming out of rooms and everyone came over to talk.
It was a really great time for both the volunteers and the students.