Furry visitors help alleviate student exam stress

Seven trainee guide dog puppies came to Newnham on Saturday to help relieve student exam stress.

More than 150 Newnhamites attended a ‘Pet a Pup’ session in the Barbara White Room and were introduced to Fargo, Amie, Kenyon, Keanu, Kasper, Neal and Hope.

Students took time out from their hectic revision schedules to play with the dogs and the animals also benefitted from the experience by gaining valuable social skills.

Interaction with dogs is believed to reduce stress and promote happiness by decreasing cortisol levels and increasing endorphins.

One student who took part said: “It was such a welcome break from the intensity of Cambridge life during exam period and I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that it was very therapeutic and definitely the highlight of this stressful term!”

The dogs are trainees from the Cambridge branch of the Guide Dogs charity.

Vicky Argent, Tutorial Office Manager, said: “The event was a huge success and we hope to run ‘Pet a Pup’ sessions again in future.”