In an effort to relieve exam stress, Stellenbosch University (SU) brought dogs from the Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS) onto campus in an initiative called ‘Puppies on the Plein’.
This is according to Benita van Zyl, amaMaties residence education coordinator.
SU’s amaMaties cluster and Maties Paw brought four puppies onto SU’s Rooiplein on 13 May through Puppies on the Plein. Through this initiative, they aimed to help students relieve academic stress and encourage them ahead of the impending exam season, explained Van Zyl.
Animals can help students and staff members alike to de-stress, said Van Zyl. “To be able to walk or play with them is an amazing opportunity that we can give our students. I think this is a good initiative that amaMaties decided to host,” said Van Zyl.
Benita van Zyl, amaMaties residence education coordinator, is playing with one of the dogs from the Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS) animal shelter from the Puppies on the Plein initiative. PHOTO: Asive Mabula
Apart from helping students de-stress, Puppies on the Plein was also used as a fundraising event by selling animal print scrunchies for an animal shelter outside Stellenbosch. This is according to Jessica Dobbin, chairperson of Maties Paw.
“We have Puppies on the Plein to advertise for the Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS), an animal shelter outside Stellenbosch. We are promoting and raising funds so that their animals can get fostered and adopted,” said Dobbin.
Dobbin added that some students go months without seeing their animals and having puppies on campus can be a source of comfort and a serotonin boost.
Pictured above is Jessica Dobbin, chairperson of Maties Paw, outside their tent on the Rooiplein where they are raising funds for the Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch. Dobbin stated that the society was hosting Puppies on the Plein to help students de-stress ahead of exam season. PHOTO: Asive Mabula
“You don’t always get that unconditional love from other human beings, and this kind of event at such a stressful time makes you feel better even though it is for an hour or two,” said Dominique Plaatjies, a bachelor of sciences student at SU.
The Puppies on the Plein initiative also advertised for the Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS), an animal shelter outside Stellenbosch. According to Jessica Dobbin, students and individuals can get involved and help an animal by either donating, volunteering or adopting. PHOTO: Asive Mabula