By Saira Afzal
On Monday 19 February, the LSESU Animals Society held their weekly ‘Dogs on Campus’ event, hosting three dogs for a visit in the LSESU Saw Swee Hock building. Hermès, a blue merle rough collie, Rosie, a greyhound, and Kolby, a golden retriever, visited LSE campus as volunteers from the national charity Pets As Therapy.
LSE students enjoyed a session feeding the dogs and playing games like fetch. All visiting dogs were certified therapy dogs, who regularly take part in sessions to promote stress relief and mental wellbeing. The LSESU Animals Society has hosted three sessions with therapy dogs to date.
LSESU Animals Society President, Himani Iyer, stated the society hopes such sessions provide students with a respite from the stress and strains of university studies. She added that the sessions can be an opportunity to foster new connections with peers, although they equally welcome those preferring a moment of quiet enjoyment.
Jonathan Fingerhut, a Pets As Therapy volunteer and Rosie’s owner, echoed similar sentiments on the value of pet therapy. He described spending time with pets as ‘meditative’ and highlighted the ‘non-judgmental’ nature of dogs, who can even offer an alternative to forms of traditional therapy which may be intimidating. As an LSE alumnus himself, Fingerhut understood the unique challenges students face and how interacting with dogs can alleviate stress.
For one attendee, the session provided a rare opportunity to experience pet companionship. She stated her asthma led to her parents discouraging pet ownership at home, limiting her exposure to pet therapy. The session with the LSESU Animals Society offered her a valuable mental health retreat for a few hours and sparked a desire to own dogs herself.
The LSESU Animals Society plans to organise future events, including puppy yoga and a visit to a cat café.
Photographs by Himani Iyer
