By Alex Robinson
Queens College students found the perfect relief for exam period stress this year: puppies.
The school’s student association organized a puppy room in the Rosenthal Library, where students busy at work could take a break to play with some furry friends.
“We did some research and found that animal therapy is a proven way to reduce stress. We heard about a school in Dallas that did this last year. So we said, ‘Why not bring it to Queens College?’” said Matthew Louie, president of the school’s student association.
Louie contracted Puppy Parties, a Brooklyn-based pet store, to bring six puppies and two fully grown dogs to the school. It cost the student association $800 for nine hours with the puppies split across three days. This included food for the dogs as well as two people to staff the event.
Dozens of students lined up at a time to get their puppy fix.
“These puppies do not live off food. They live off petting and love. They won’t live till the end of the day if you don’t pet them,” the store’s owner David Dietz told students, who needed little encouragement.
“This is the best idea. It takes your mind off everything else but puppies,” said Maggie Murphy, a grad student at Queens College. “It’s the most brilliant therapy method I’ve ever heard of.”
More than 40 students filed through the room in each 15-minute session. Students were allowed to return as long as they waited in line again.
“How could you not love this?” said Kamran Keypour, a freshman who had returned for a second dose of puppies. “I want to take the pomeranian home. It’s adorable.”
Dietz has owned his pet store for 40 years and started Puppy Parties seven years ago.
“They’re better than clowns, magicians or face painting. All the kids want puppy parties. It’s also great for the puppies because they find homes faster,” he said.
The puppies’ ages ranged from nine weeks to four months. Among them were terriers and a Pomeranian as well as a 14-year-old golden retriever named Jimmy.
The event was not limited to students as faculty members and campus police showed up to take in the puppies.
Even Queens College President James Muyskens, who said he was not a dog person, came by to see what the puppy room was all about.
“It’s so important for students to have ways to relieve stress during the exam period, and this is such a creative way to do that,” Muyskens said.
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
