Most students can agree on one thing: midterms are stressful. Between studying for math and re-reading passages for English, a lot of students could use a little time to unwind and relax. Although midterms are over, and winter break is already underway, the PAWS club for made sure to keep in mind that everyone needs a stress reliever once in a while.

Jewel Kyaw is a senior at heritage and co-president of the PAWS club.

Kyaw describes the club as “a place where people come to together to help animals, mainly dogs and cats, through supply drives, volunteering, and bringing in guest speakers to talk about important subjects.”

This year for the first time the PAWS club held a “Midterm Stress Relief Therapy Dog” event Dec. 12. The purpose of the event was to relieve stress and anxiety before midterms by comforting nervous students with some furry friends.

The PAWS club worked with Canine Assisted Therapy to bring in five therapy dogs into the EEC from 3:05-4:15. The dogs ranged from dogs as small as a chihuahua to a large a German Shepherd. The dogs were accompanied by their owners who each had a special christmas portrait of their dog as well as their card.

Jewel Kyaw is a senior at heritage and co-president of the PAWS club.

“I thought about bringing therapy dogs here since junior high. However, I never had the platform or leadership position to do so, so when I became the co-president of PAWS I really wanted to host this event,” Kyaw said.

Kyaw continued to explain that she thought this was the perfect way to bring students together as well.

“We have had meetings before as well where only like one dog comes in, and everyone really loves it. It kind of brings everyone together, like people who I have never seen before in the club come in and enjoy it and feel a sense of relief,” Kyaw said.

She thought what other way to do this than bring in therapy dogs.

Photos taken by Joanne Haner and Madison Lynn.